Derby between Atlético and Real Madrid exposes the dark side of Spanish soccer

A match between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid at the Metropolitano was one of those duels that are always highly expected every season. There is so much hatred between the pitches and the stands, and the Madrid derby rarely disappoints when drama and controversy take center stage. This latest match, however, went beyond the common sporting battles to questioning light years beyond the field. All for Vinicius Junior.

Follow Playing for 90 on X (Twitter).

Racism and the future of soccer

Racism in football is nothing new, but what we've been through in this game has shown exactly how deep into the problem some sets of fans are. In the line of fire was again promising youngster Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid in Brazil, who regularly features in racism cases in Spain. During the match, Vinicius was targeted by chants from Atlético's organized supporters group "Frente Atlético". Then came the chants, "He's different, Vinicius is different," a surefire sign that, under camouflage as mere provocation, racism was a problem to be taken seriously.

This is the type of behavior that disgraces soccer, and it is a pity that this doesn't remain in an isolated incident; Vini Jr. has already been the victim of racism in more than one match, and the fact that these things keep on happening without the severe intervention of the sportive authorities in Spain worries because racism deserves zero tolerance, but for now, it only receives mere declarations of condemnation without real intervention. What else will be necessary for serious measures?

No peace for Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior didn't have one moment of peace throughout the whole game. The whistles and insults came every time he entered the leather. It is not something new for the player, though. As if in an already traditional move, he answers the provocation with high-class soccer-just like when he assisted Real Madrid's goal-but the problem goes way beyond the game and what Vinicius has been through, no player should ever have to face.

Even with all the campaigns and discourses against racism, it seems we are light-years from erasing this plague from the stadiums. But the worst issue is that, since Atlético Madrid's fans repeated the offense, it shines crystal clear in the dimension of not really taken punitive measures.

Chaos, disruption and soccer's image An electric match right from the first minute with the Metropolitano being its usual hostile self - that which one would expect from this kind of game. That first grew when Real Madrid took the lead through a Militão goal assisted by Vinicius Junior. But nobody could have predicted what then unfolded.

Just four minutes into the game, it had to be stopped as Courtois handed the referee two items that had been thrown onto the pitch. It is the same set of organized supporters, who had been abusing both Courtois and Vinicius, which threw objects, including a lighter, into the field. This one perhaps got a little uglier, having always been booed in any match against them following his time with Atlético Madrid. The scenes escalated when a "Frente Atlético" occupied the area behind the goal Courtois was defending in the second half, starting to hurl a whole slew of stuff onto the pitch.

It has reached a boiling point, and it needs the intervention of Simeone and the players to stop everything with the help of ultras.

The derby was held up for almost 20 minutes or so. In that phase, one saw how players and spectators had to wait for things to cool down. There was every indication that if things did not get back to normal, the game might not have continued. Of course, all this again justifies the need to take another look at how security at stadiums is maintained and, more importantly, how to handle the miscreant elements among the fans.

The role of the authorities in overcoming racism

From this very condition, there is one more question: what are the actions of the Spanish soccer authorities against it? La Liga, the Spanish Football Federation, and even UEFA has to act more resolutely. Of course, it is not enough just to fine clubs with some trifles or with formalistic acts. More drastic measures-very serious fines against clubs, a ban on participating in some matches in their own stadiums-must be taken against those involved.

Soccer is an international sport supposed to unite people from every culture, ethnicity, and background. The presence of unity and respect should be reflected, and what goes on in stadiums like the Metropolitano is quite to the contrary. "Frente Atlético," along with all others who act this way, cannot keep acting this way without getting their just share of consequences. Real change is overdue.