Report: Vinicius’ best friend the target of racist ‘joke’ from security guard before Brazil’s anti-racism friendly against Guinea

Just when we thought things couldn’t get much worse on the racism front, they might well have done. Brazilian media outlet Globo have reported that Felipe Silva, the best friend of Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Júnior, was the target of a racist ‘joke’ from a security guard as he entered Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in Barcelona ahead of Brazil’s friendly match against Guinea.

Racism at anti-racism friendly

The irony will be lost on absolutely nobody that the game was being played as part of the ‘One Skin’ anti-racism campaign launched by the Brazilian Soccer Federation (CBF) in response to the continual racist abuse the Vinicius has suffered while playing in LaLiga in Spain.

For the first time in their history, Brazil played the first half of the match in black jerseys to raise awareness of the ongoing fight against racism, while they will also play further matches against Senegal (in Lisbon on Tuesday) and versus Spain (in March in March next year) as part of the campaign.

Security guard points banana at Vinicius’ advisor

According to Globo, Silva, who also acts as Vinicius’ advisor, arrived at the stadium before kickoff as was met by a security guard who pulled out a banana and pointed it as him, saying “hands up, this is my gun for you”.

Related stories

BRAZIL NATIONAL TEAM

Brazil in black for the first time ever

LALIGA

Madrid lining up Zidane return...in what role?

Although there doesn’t appear to be any footage of the incident, clips of said security guard being confronted by Silva and other members of his group in the immediate aftermath have been doing the rounds on social media.

Another sorry tale in the ongoing battle to stamp racism out of soccer and indeed society.