Richarlison had scored Brazil’s opening goal that evening.
Tottenham and Brazil forward Richarlison has condemned a racist attack after a banana was thrown at him during a 5-1 win against Tunisia.
Richarlison was celebrating his goal in Paris after giving Brazil the lead but it was marred by a series of objects being thrown towards the players, including a banana.
A banana thrown onto the pitch at Richarlison? In 2022? Where is the vitriol we had when he did kick-ups in a Premier League game? The complacency over racism in football is returning. pic.twitter.com/45LzgRgyXp
— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) September 28, 2022
Initially, the forward said that he hadn’t seen the incident during his post-match interview. “I was talking about this with [Roberto] Firmino, saying that I think that God did not allow me to see that because I don’t know what I could have done in the heat of the moment,” he said.
The forward also tweeted after the game, insisting that the problem will continue if nothing is done to tackle racism. 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 [no to racism].”
Enquanto ficarem de "blá blá blá" e não punirem, vai continuar assim, acontecendo todos os dias e por todos os cantos. Sem tempo, irmão! #racismonão pic.twitter.com/p8GqMPqUKa
— Richarlison Andrade (@richarlison97) September 28, 2022
Richarlison was also supported by the Brazilian football confederation, who released a statement saying: “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.”
Lamentavelmente, após a ação, uma banana foi atirada no gramado em direção a Richarlison, autor do segundo gol brasileiro. A CBF reforça o sua posição de combate ao racismo e repudia qualquer manifestação preconceituosa. https://t.co/H9qpRCpyab
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) September 27, 2022
Several high-profile figures in football also condemned the racist attack. Brazil captain Thiago Silva revealed that the players had joined together to create an anti-racism video. He said: “It’s a shame and it’s difficult to see such images.
“I don’t know if the videos against racism that we had prepared were shown on the screens.
“But things like this keep happening… Unfortunately, we can’t change anything about people’s mentality. I hope that the public will be aware that this is not acceptable and that it belongs to the past. We have to change.”
Before kick-off, Richarlison and his teammates posed with an anti-racism banner which read: “Without our black players, we wouldn’t have stars on our shirts.”
Related links:
- Atlético Madrid condemn racist chants aimed at Vinicius Jr
- Tyrell Malacia says he ‘didn’t agree’ with Louis van Gaal after touchline row
- Harry Maguire apologises for penalty mistake in Germany draw
