More than problems of racism, what exists on the soccer fields is a lack of education and alarming values
Iker Muniain, captain of Athletic Club, once again became the target of serious insults during the match against Osasuna at the El Sadar Stadium. This unfortunate situation occurs in the midst of widespread awareness in LaLiga due to the impact of the recent Vinicius case. Despite efforts to foster respect for the players as individuals, the offensive chants and disqualifications continue, and Muniain fell victim to them on his home soil.
Since 2010, it is common for the Athletic captain to receive all kinds of insults and disqualifications in a stadium where he is considered persona non grata due to statements made more than a decade ago and which have not yet been forgotten in Pamplona.
The insults to Muniain a classic from Pamplona
A few days after coming of age, on November 25, the Navarrese stated in a press conference: “I don’t know why I have to be fond of Osasuna. They have never given me anything and they still do not give it to me. Since I was little I have faced them and now that I play for Athletic, too. I have always belonged to Athletic”, the now captain distanced himself.
Since then, the insults to Muniain have been a constant. Always accompanied by lamentable chants, which were reproduced again in El Sadar at a time when awareness of the chaos mounted around Vinicius was at its peak.
Null repercussion of the Vinicius case
The racist insults that the Brazilian suffered during Real Madrid’s visit to Valencia on May 21 generated a huge echo nationally and internationally, resulting in the partial closure of the Mestalla for five games. It was hoped that this incident would lead to greater awareness and respect for the person above the footballer.
However, reality shows that there is a significant gap between theory and practice. Although there were no racist attacks at El Sadar, a low-pitched chant directed at Muniain was sung from a section of the stands. Under the shouts of “Muniain putero, the whole world knows it”, the rojiblanco captain had to deal with this situation at various times during the match, facing constant whistles every time he touched the ball.
From the moment his name blared from the loudspeakers even before the start of the clash, Muniain experienced a hostile reception.. He Athletic president He is very angry, since he intuits that there will not be the same conscience with Muniain as the one that has been had with Vinicius. As already happened with Iñaki Williams, victim of racist chants in Cornellá.