Brazil statue’s lights out to support Vinicius Jr racism claim

Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue has switched off its lights in a show of support for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr following racial slurs from Valencia fans at the Mestalla Stadium in Spain over the weekend.

The lights of the national landmark in Rio de Janeiro, the same state where Vinicius Jr was born, were switched off at 6 pm local time (15:00 GMT) on May 22 for an hour to cap a day where the Brazilian government and the world of football united to condemn the racist acts that took place at the Spanish league match on May 21, Al Jazeera reports.

The Archdiocesan Sanctuary that manages the monument turned off the lights in cooperation with the Brazilian FA and the Observatory of Racial Discrimination in Football.

“[This action] is a symbol of the collective fight against racism and in solidarity with the player and all those who suffer prejudice around the world,” the groups said, according to Brazilian media outlet Globo.

Vinicius Jr later wrote on Twitter: “Black and imposing. Christ the Redeemer was like this just now. An action of solidarity that moves me. But I want, above all, to inspire and bring more light to our struggle.”

His tweet had received more than half a million likes within a few hours of posting.