The hideous face of football reared its head again yesterday evening, as Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison was racially abused during a game in Paris.
The forward was celebrating his goal in Brazil's 5-1 friendly victory against Tunisia in the Parc des Princes when a banana was thrown at him from the crowd.
A banana thrown onto the pitch at Richarlison? In 2022? Where is the vitriol we had when he did kick-ups in a Premier League game? The complacency over racism in football is returning. pic.twitter.com/45LzgRgyXp
— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) September 28, 2022
Manchester United midfielder Fred can be seen kicking the fruit off the pitch before briefly gazing into the crowd.
The forwards Premier League club have since responded to the incident via Twitter.
"We are disgusted by the racist abuse of Richarlison at last night’s game between Brazil and Tunisia," it reads.
"This has no place in football, or anywhere.
"We stand with you, Richy."
We are disgusted by the racist abuse of Richarlison at last night’s game between Brazil and Tunisia. This has no place in football, or anywhere.
We stand with you, Richy 💙 pic.twitter.com/lXIkBv96si
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 28, 2022
Before kickoff, the Brazilian team posed for a photograph with an anti-racism banner which read, 'Without our black players, we wouldn’t have stars on our shirts.'
The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) also responded to the incident via Twitter.
"Unfortunately a banana was thrown on the pitch towards Richarlison, scorer of the second Brazilian goal," they said.
"The CBF reinforces its position to combat racism and repudiates any manifestation of prejudice."
Brazil eased to victory against their Tunisian opponents, with goals from Richarlison, Neymar, Pedro and a brace from Raphina.
Montassar Talbi scored Tunisia's sole goal.
