Brazil’s 5-1 friendly win over Tunisia in Paris on Tuesday has been sullied by racism after a banana was thrown at Richarlison following his goal.
Tottenham forward Richarlison made it 2-1 in the 19th minute at Parc des Princes, with a large Tunisian contingent present, before a banana was thrown in his direction during his celebrations.
The incident has been widely condemned although no action has been taken with the perpetrator not identified.
“It hurts me,” Brazil defender Thiago Silva said about the incident. “Frankly, I’m very sad. That’s not football. Football is about supporting your team.
“Afterwards, on the field, we give our best for our team. But gestures like that (shown) on video, it’s not good for football.”
The incident comes following the recent racism issues in Spain around Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian was subject to racist slurs and chants during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win away to Atletico Madrid last week.
Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand called for more action from football authorities to change racist culture.
“I’m not saying football can change or cure racism because I would be an idiot to think that,” he said.
“Football can play a good part in highlighting issues and standing together, standing strong and standing unified to make the authorities and powers that be put things in place to protect people, but it ain’t happening. It’s disheartening.
“Another day racism is okay and welcomed in football. Look at the reaction to the stuff with Vinicius Jr. I don’t see the federations coming out and absolutely backing these players and going absolutely against it or a big press conference being called and saying ‘we ain’t having this’.”
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