In a recent turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the football community, Mikel Camps, a director at FC Barcelona, has come under intense scrutiny for his controversial remarks about Real Madrid forward, Vinicius Junior. The comments, which were made on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), have been widely condemned by both clubs and fans alike.
Vinicius Junior, a Brazilian footballer, has been a frequent target of racist abuse during matches, a disturbing trend that has been highlighted multiple times in recent months. Particularly notable was an incident during a match against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium last season, where the crowd was caught on camera making monkey sounds directed at the player. Another such incident occurred recently during a game against Sevilla, where fans were seen making monkey gestures at Vinicius.
Amidst this backdrop, Camps' remarks on social media have added fuel to the fire. Following Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League match against SC Braga, in which Vinicius displayed his signature flair and skill, Camps took to X to comment on the player's performance. He wrote, "It is not racism, he deserves a slap for being a clown. What do these unnecessary and meaningless bicycle kicks represent in the centre of the field?" Camps seemed to imply that Vinicius' style of play, which some term as "showboating", was justification for the racist abuse he has been subjected to.
The backlash was swift and fierce. Real Madrid's President, Florentino Perez, reportedly decided to boycott the upcoming El Clasico, a high-profile match between the two Spanish giants. On the other side, Barcelona's Vice President, Rafa Yuste, publicly condemned Camps' tweet, stating, "Even if it was a mistake (from Camps), it shouldn't have to be done. It's an unfortunate tweet. If you're listening to me Vini, it won't happen again."
Barcelona's manager, Xavi Hernandez, also weighed in on the controversy during a press conference after their Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk. While he acknowledged that Camps had deleted the tweet, indicating some form of regret, Xavi emphasized the importance of maintaining respect and fair play, especially in the lead-up to the El Clasico. He said, "I don't like anything that generates tension, neither the referees pressuring nor this tweet. We must have a Clasico with a lot of fair play, respect and mutual admiration."
The incident underscores the challenges football faces in combating racism and ensuring that all players, regardless of their background or style of play, are treated with respect both on and off the field. As of now, FC Barcelona has not issued an official statement regarding Camps' position or future with the club.
