The Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro has approved a new law to combat racism at sports events following consistent abuse targeted by countryman and state native Vinicius Junior in Spain.
The most recent abuse occurred in a La Liga game between Valencia and Real Madrid last month and drew widespread condemnation from Brazilian government officials and other non-political figures worldwide.
In one of its recent sessions, the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro unanimously passed into law the “Vini, Jr. law” which enables games to be interrupted or ended in the event of a racist act. The measure is the first of its kind in South Africa’s largest country.
Josemar, the legislator that proposed the law said: “We have to eradicate this cancer that is racism once and for all, especially in sports. This law aims to combat racism and create an egalitarian society.”
The law also provides a protocol to direct racism complaints to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the referral of victims to the Public Defender’s Office.
Earlier in Sapin, the country’s anti-violence commission handed fines and lengthy stadium bans to seven individuals concerning racist behaviour towards Vinicius in January and during the Real Madrid Valencia game last month.
