Xavi, Barcelona coach: ‘Football is the only sport that tolerates insults’

Xavi, Barcelona coach, about racial slurs against Vinicius Jr : “Unfortunately, there are still instances of racism and that is a shame. For these things to happen in 2023 is sad and unfortunate. We must condemn any act of racism, in any field, against any player, like the one Vinicius suffered yesterday at Mestalla… There is no coat of arms here. I think Valencia are doing the necessary, they are trying to identify these people and convict them. We must act because it seems that we are not moving forward, we must make a big effort to eradicate racism once and for all.

“I don’t think we have to come to the point of saying that all of Spain is racist or that La Liga is racist, but we have to educate people. »

Football is the only sport that, I don’t know why, tolerates insults. Meaning, I’m on the bench and they call me “son of…” or whatever you can imagine, while I’m working. I don’t see any baker, or any worker, or any journalist going through that, do I? But in the world of football, it happens. I think it’s time to stop all this. I think this is a message for the president of La Liga, of the Federation: all this must stop. Why should I put up with insults?

I don’t think we have to say that all of Spain is racist or that La Liga is racist. You have to educate people. In a way, we are told that the footballer or the coach must be role models for society, but if we are constantly insulted, it becomes very difficult to remain calm and not get angry in the face of attacks. … That’s what happens to Vinicius. And not just Vinicius, but any footballer. We must defend it and try to create an environment conducive to education. This is not the case in the world of football and it is sad. »