It should not host the 2030 World Cup… the first official response from Spain after Vinicius’ statement

Madrid Mayor Jose Luis has criticised Real Madrid’s Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior for saying Spain should not host the 2030 World Cup if it does not tackle racism in football by then.

Madrid’s mayor said Vinicius’ comments could damage Spain’s reputation as a tournament host, as he called the country a “racist nation.”

He added: “We are aware that there are cases of racism in society and we must work hard to end them. But it is not fair to Spain and Madrid to say that we are a racist society.”

Vinicius said in televised remarks: “If there is no progress in the fight against racism before 2030, they should change the host country” of the World Cup.

The Brazilian international added that he loves living in Madrid, stressing that “the vast majority in Spain are not racist, but there is a small group that ends up influencing the image of the country.”

Vinicius has been the subject of a series of racist insults since joining Real Madrid in 2018.

Last year, he received widespread support from the Spanish community after being insulted during a Spanish league match in Valencia, sparking widespread calls for changes in the fight against racism in the country.

Spain is set to host the 2030 World Cup jointly with Morocco and Portugal.