- Title: 'Spain is not a racist country', insists football coach de la Fuente
- Date: 4th September 2024
- Summary: BELGRADE, SERBIA (SEPTEMBER 4, 2024) (REUTERS) SPAIN HEAD COACH LUIS DE LA FUENTE ARRIVING AT PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN HEAD COACH, LUIS DE LA FUENTE, ON COMMENTS MADE BY REAL MADRID FORWARD, VINICIUS JR, SAYING SPAIN SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF THE 2030 WORLD CUP HOSTING RIGHTS IF IT FAILS TO MAKE PROGRESS ON ERRADICATING RACISM IN FOOTBALL, SAYING: "Spain is
- Embargoed: 18th September 2024 21:54
- Keywords: Serbia Spain UEFA Nations League
- Location: BELGRADE, STARA PAZOVA, SERBIA
- City: BELGRADE, STARA PAZOVA, SERBIA
- Country: Serbia
- Topics: Europe,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001144704092024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Euro 2024 champions Spain's build-up to Thursday's (September 5) Nations League opener away to Serbia was overshadowed by the ongoing debate regarding racism in La Liga.
Head coach Luis de la Fuente responded to comments made by Brazilian superstar Vinicius Jr in a recent interview with CNN in which the Real Madrid forward called for Spain to be stripped of its right to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Morocco if it fails to make progress tackling racism.
"Spain is not racist. Spain is an example of coexistence, of respect and of integration. An example many people should look to," said de la Fuente at a press conference on Wednesday (September 4).
His comments were backed up by Vinicius' Real Madrid teammate Dani Carvajal who argued a pernicious minority of racist football fans should not besmirch the reputation of an entire nation. "Beyond this small group of people who we need to eradicate from the world of football I don't believe that Spain is unworthy of hosting the World Cup. Spain is a very culturally diverse country."
Vinicius has been the target of frequent racist abuse from opposition fans since signing for Los Blancos from Flamengo in 2018.
Three Valencia fans were jailed in June this year after racially abusing Vinicius during a May 2023 match at the Mestalla.
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