Richarlison has urged football’s governing bodies to take action after the Tottenham forward was targeted in a racist attack.
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The 25-year-old had a banana thrown at him during Brazil’s 5-1 win against Tunisia in a friendly in Paris on Tuesday evening. As Richarlison celebrated his 19th minute goal near a corner flag, a banana and several other objects were thrown at him by supporters.
The Brazil international responded to the racist attack on Twitter after the game. He wrote: “As long as they stay ‘blah blah blah’ and don’t punish, it will continue like this, happening every day and everywhere. No time bro! #racismonao [racism no].”
The Brazilian football confederation added in a tweet: “After Brazil’s second goal, a banana was thrown towards Richarlison. The CBF reinforces its stance against discrimination and vehemently repudiates yet another episode of racism in football.”
Richarlison and his Brazil teammates posed with an anti-racism banner ahead of kick-off. The banner read: “Without our black players, we wouldn’t have stars on our shirts.”
Several notable figures within football have called on the game’s governing bodies – including FIFA – to take action against racism. Former Premier League defender Anton Ferdinand tweeted: “What am I seeing?”
“People are trying to tell me that [the problem of] racism is getting better in football? Until there’s a proper and meaningful sanctions, we will not see change FIFA and UEFA. What are you going to do about this disgusting behaviour?”
Richarlison’s Brazil teammate Vinicius Junior was racially abused ahead of the derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid earlier this month. Fans gathered outside of the Wanda Metropolitano and chanted: “You are a monkey, Vinicius, you are a monkey.”
Richarlison has spoken out against racism throughout his career. During his time at Everton, he said: “Racism is something we live with every day. It appears not only in words or in actions but also in disguise. It was racism when my friends and I went to play football in my city and someone called me bandit, when I hadn’t done anything to deserve that.
“But it’s also racism when people change sidewalks when they see a black man coming in the opposite direction. These are subtle things that show the scale of the problem… In Brazil, the population of the peripheries, which is almost entirely black, suffers from this daily.”
Brazil took the lead against Tunisia thanks to Barcelona forward Raphinha’s early strike before Lorient defender Montassar Talbi equalised. Richarlison restored Brazil’s advantage seconds later and Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar made it 3-1 from the penalty spot.
Raphinha completed his brace before half-time – with Richarlison providing the assist – and Salernitana defender Dylan Bronn was sent off for Tunisia. Flamengo striker Pedro completed the scoring after half-time to give Brazil a boost heading into this year’s World Cup in Qatar. Tite’s side face Serbia in their tournament opener on November 24.
