Marca have gone without color on their pages to send a clear anti-racism message

Vinicius was the victim of a racist attack last Sunday, with violent Atletico fans chanting scathing slogans at him before the kick-off of the derby against Real in front of the Wanda Metropolitano, which not only didn’t go over well but became the first topic of soccer Spain for a couple 24 hours.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez himself expressed his strong displeasure, Atlético management made it clear that this part of the fans does not represent them and should be identified by the police, while Marca made sure of that on Wednesday (21/09) with an excellent initiative shake up the water even more.

This had to do with the removal of color from all pages in its printed edition, with the historic Madrid newspaper explaining that it did so to show that racism has a place not just in sport but anywhere in society.

“The shameful incident last Sunday at the Metropolitano, with the racist slurs uttered against Vinicius by a section of Atlético fans, must be a turning point in the definitive removal from football of all those who can only incite hatred.

Spanish society reacted quickly and unanimously to unequivocally condemn what had happened. From Atlético itself, which issued a sharp statement announcing drastic measures to immediately identify those involved in this heinous event from the club and expel them before the House of Representatives.

Where on Tuesday all factions put aside their ideological differences and agreed to jointly sign a manifesto of “absolute rejection of violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport and in every other area”.

MARCA wanted to participate in this social outcry and for this reason the printed edition of the newspaper of Wednesday (09/21) appears in black and white from the first to the last page.

With this gesture, MARCA wants to show the absolute rejection of racism both in sport and in society.”reported the Madrid media.

As for their front page? It features Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams and the young forward, who is among the new faces called up to the Spain national team by Luis Enrique, said: “Nobody is born racist, it’s a question of upbringing”.