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Nike shows solidarity with Vinicius Jr amid racist abuse in La Liga

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By Amy Houston, Senior Reporter

May 24, 2023 | 2 min read

The Real Madrid player was subjected to racist remarks during a 1-0 defeat at Valencia.

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Nike shows solidarity with Vinicius Jr / Nike

Sports giant Nike has publicly shown support for Brazilian football sensation Vini Jr after three Valencia fans were arrested for hurling insults at the player. The incident at Sunday’s match has opened a wider conversation about racism in Spain.

Real Madrid has classed the event as a “hate crime” and filed a complaint with the Spanish State Attorney General’s Office.

Opponents Valencia have been ordered to shut the stand where the alleged abuse happened for five matches and have also been fined €45,000 (£39,000) by the RFEF. Something the club is contesting.

In a tweet posted earlier today, Nike simply stated that it stands with the 22-year-old professional athlete. The image encourages people to ‘stop looking the other way’.

It’s not the first time the corporation has weighed in on injustice within sports. Back in 2018, the brand featured NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in its ‘Dream Crazy’ ad campaign that used the slogan: “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything. Just do it.”

The San Francisco 49ers athlete had become a prominent figure in protesting racial injustice in the US, kneeling for the pre-game national anthem to raise awareness.

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