Sports

Tottenham forward racially abused with banana in Brazil win over Tunisia

Fans threw banana at Tottenham forward, Richarlison, on Tuesday as he was racially abused during Brazil’s friendly win over Tunisia in Paris.

The incident occurred as the former Everton striker ran towards the corner flag to celebrate scoring his side’s second goal in their 5-1 win at the Parc des Princes.

Footage showed Manchester United midfielder, Fred, kicking the banana away while other objects were also thrown onto the pitch.

Prior to the game, five-time world champions Brazil had posed for photographs with an anti-racism banner which read: “Without our black players, we wouldn’t have stars on our shirts.”

The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) later issued a statement on Twitter condemning the abuse of the Tottenham forward and calling for strong punishments.

The statement read: “After Brazil’s second goal, a banana was thrown towards Richarlison. The CBF reinforces its stance against discrimination and vehemently repudiates yet another episode of racism in football.

“Whether on or off the field, attitudes like this cannot be tolerated.”

Richarlison said racism would continue if there was no punishment handed out, saying: “As long as they keep ‘blah blah blah’ and don’t punish, it’s going to continue like this, happening every day and in every corner.”

Defender Thiago Silva also condemned the act, saying: “I was saddened by the gesture they made because that’s not football.

“Football is about supporting your team. Afterwards, on the pitch, we try to give our all for our national team. But gestures like that are not good for football,” he stated.

The Star