Euro 2024 champions Spain 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.”
