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Spain not a racist country, says Carvajal before Brazil friendly

Spain defender Dani Carvajal said Monday his country was not racist ahead of a friendly against Brazil arranged to support the fight against racism.

Spain not a racist country, says Carvajal before Brazil friendly
Real Madrid's Spanish defender Dani Carvajal holds a press conference at the Real Madrid Sport City in Valdebebas. Photo: OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP.

Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Junior has suffered racial abuse on many occasions in recent years, with one incident in Valencia in May provoking worldwide outrage.

Spain arranged a friendly against Vinicius’ Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday under the slogan “One Skin” to help combat racism.

“I don’t think Spain is a racist country,” Carvajal, a team-mate of Vinicius’ at Madrid told a news conference. “We have a very high level of integration, I come from a humble neighbourhood, Leganes, and grew up with boys of all types of nationalities.

“I have a lot of friends with different colour skin.”

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Carvajal said he thought fans slinging racist insults at players were unleashing their frustrations in an “ugly” way at athletes. “Sadly there are people who go to football it seems to let loose all their rage, their anger,” he continued.

“When it seems that it hurts someone, they do it more and it’s a pity.

“Those type of people should not be allowed into stadiums because it’s the ugliest thing that exists in sport.”

Winger Vinicius, 23, has been the victim of racial abuse at numerous stadiums around Spain. The player recently condemned Atletico Madrid fans for racist chanting aimed at him before their Champions League clash against Inter Milan earlier in March.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

“It’s a sad reality that happens even during matches where I am not present,” said Vinicius on social media platform X.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said in November Vinicius has become “unfortunately used to” racism in Spain.

Right-back Carvajal is likely to directly face Vinicius if selected to start against Brazil.

“Against a player of that quality it’s hard to have a clear plan because in the end he is capable of overwhelming anyone,” added Carvajal. “We have to try and close him down, not give him space and having help with that will be the key.”

Spain lost 1-0 last Friday against Colombia in a friendly defeat as they continue preparations for Euro 2024. Coach Luis de la Fuente highlighted the size of the clash against Brazil, even though it is not a competitive match.

“It’s the 10th match Spain have played against Brazil in the history of Spanish football, so it’s very important,” he said. “When you play a team like Brazil, there’s more focus, tension, people watching.”

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CORRUPTION

World Cup winner Del Bosque to watch over Spain’s scandal-hit federation

Former Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will lead the committee overseeing the country's trouble-ridden football federation, the Spanish government said Tuesday.

World Cup winner Del Bosque to watch over Spain's scandal-hit federation

The retired 73-year-old led La Roja to the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship titles, as well as taking Real Madrid to two Champions League triumphs.

“I’m proud to announce that the person presiding over the committee and representing it… is Vicente del Bosque,” said Pilar Alegría, the minister for Education and Sports.

“Del Bosque will be the face and representation of Spanish football.”

Last week Spain’s National Sports Council (CSD) created a committee to “oversee” the federation (RFEF) and try to pull it out of crisis.

Former president Luis Rubiales resigned in disgrace after forcibly kissing Women’s World Cup star Jenni Hermoso last year, while he and new president Pedro Rocha are under investigation in a graft probe.

“I believe that (Del Bosque) is the clearest representation of a good person of great human quality and, above all, an example of honesty and respect,” added Alegría.

The RFEF took decisions “beyond its remit” after Rubiales stepped down in December according to a report from the country’s leading sports court, resulting in the CSD creating the committee.

World and European football governing bodies FIFA and UEFA subsequently issued a statement expressing “great concern” at the situation around the RFEF.

“FIFA and UEFA will seek additional information to assess the extent to which the CSD’s appointment (of the committee) … may affect the RFEF’s obligation to manage its affairs independently and without undue government interference,” they said.

Spain is due to host the 2030 World Cup along with Portugal and Morocco.

The court report on the RFEF interim committee overstepping its bounds also raised the possibility the CSD may provisionally suspend Rocha, who was elected as Rubiales’ replacement on Friday, and other RFEF directors.

A CSD meeting Tuesday over potential punishments for these alleged infringements was put on hold after the sports court asked for more documentation, CSD sources told AFP.

The sources said the CSD plans to meet again in the coming days.

One decision allegedly beyond the remit of the RFEF was the renewal of current Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s contract in February.

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