Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior has urged that Spain be removed as a host nation for the 2030 World Cup unless it takes decisive action against racism in its football stadiums.
The Real Madrid forward disclosed this after facing repeated racial abuse while playing in Spain.
Vinicius, who has been targeted by opposition fans during several La Liga matches, expressed his frustration in an interview aired on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for greater efforts to shift societal attitudes in Spain.
"Until 2030, there is a lot of room for improvement, so I hope that Spain can evolve and understand how serious it is to insult someone because of the colour of their skin," he said.
"If by 2030 things don't improve, I think we have to move the location because if a player doesn't feel comfortable and safe playing in a country where they can suffer racism, it's a bit difficult."
The comments caused an uproar in Spain, hosts of the 2030 World Cup.
Alongside Spain and Morocco, three of the matches will also be taking place in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Dani Carvajal who responded to his teammates outburst concerning the racism situation in Spain in a news conference on Wednesday, said: "Spain is in no way a racist country."
Further Carvajal added "does not deserve to be deprived of the World Cup".
"I know what Vinicius has to put up with but LaLiga is improving and protocols are being drawn up so that these people can no longer take part in sporting events," Carvajal said.
Luis de la Fuente, Spain national team coach agreed with Carvajal.
"There are always undesirables but Spain is not racist, it is an example of coexistence and integration," the team's coach said.
Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, Madrid's conservative mayor also condemned Vinicius' comments, calling them "deeply unfair", insisting the Real Madrid star should tender an apology.
A Spanish court handed three Valencia fans eight-month jail terms for racist abuse towards Vinicius at a LaLiga match in June, last year, the first such conviction in Spain.
Furthermore, in July, another person was given an eight-month suspended jail term for online racist abuse targeting Antonio Rudiger, a German Real Madrid plater and Vinicius Jr.
