Barcelona manager Xavi has given his thoughts on the racism storm in Spanish football, explaining he sees things differently to former team-mate Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola had previously expressed his doubts that racism in Spain was likely to improve any time soon. The Manchester City manager made the claim after the abuse of Vinicius Junior in Real Madrid's defeat at Valencia made Europe-wide headlines.
He said he was "not optimistic" for the future, having seen what he has seen during a long career as a player and manager in Spain before managing elsewhere on the continent. However, Xavi - who played alongside and under Guardiola at Barcelona - made clear he sees things differently.
"They should," Guardiola said when asked if La Liga should learn from the Premier League when it comes to racism. "Here they are so strict.
“They know what they have to do. The problem is that there is racism everywhere. Not just for gender, but for colour, for attitudes.
"Hopefully it can be one step to getting better in Spain but I’m not optimistic. I know a little bit about the country and I’m not really optimistic. There are a lot of black people stepping forward to defend what they should not have to defend.”
What have you made of Guardiola and Xavi's comments? Have your say in the comments section
Xavi, however, didn't share his compatriot's assessment, explaining his position in the lead-up to champions Barca hosting Mallorca on Sunday. “I disagree with Pep. And I agree with him on almost eveerything, but not here,” he told Marca (via Football Espana ).
“It is an educational issue. If we stay as we are, we will not advance but if the game stops the other day and they go home, we are educating. Insult are not normal [at work]. It is a matter for the state, federations, government, LaLiga…”.
Vinicius Junior's red card against Valencia was overturned, freeing him up to feature against Rayo Vallecano in midweek. However, the Brazilian was given a night off by manager Carlo Ancelotti and also sat out Saturday's win at Sevilla.
“We have been complaining about this abuse all season and nothing!" Ancelotti told the media after the Valencia game "It has reached the point where the manager must consider taking off his player because the game is not being stopped. There is something wrong with this league if this happens.
“We have a problem, he does not have a problem," the Italian added. "For me Vinicius is the greatest player in the world, the strongest. La Liga has a problem. With this racism, for me they have to stop the game. There is no other way. Vini is very sad, angry, but more sadness. It cannot happen.”
