Oh dear, another incident of racism in football grabbing attention.

Brazilian football star Vinicius Jr, who plays for Real Madrid, was told “to stop playing the monkey” by president of the Spanish Agents Association, Pedro Bravo for celebrating a goal by dancing.

Over the years, we have all had a chuckle watching Brazilian players having a dance after scoring.

Those boys are wonderful movers.

Bravo said on a TV show while watching Real Madrid beat Mallorca 4-1, “ You (Vinicius Jr) have to respect the opponent. If you want to dance, go to the sambadrone in Brazil. In Spain, you have to respect rivals and stop playing the monkey”.

Outrageous!

Paris Saint Germain superstar Neymar was having none off that, tweeting encouragement to his fellow Brazilian, “Dribble, dance and be yourself, happy to be who you are! Go for the top my friend, we will dance on your next goal.”

Even the great Pele waded in saying, “ Football is joy. It’s a dance. It’s a real party. Although racism still exists, we will not allow that to stop us from continuing to smile. And we will continue to fight racism this way: fighting for our right be happy.”

Many black players in the English league have been subjected to racism including John Barnes, Anton Ferdinand, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling.

It can get real ugly.

Racism in football on the European continent is as blue as the sky-perennial

Real Madrid came out in support of its player, writing: “Real Madrid rejects all kinds of racist and xenophobic expressions and behaviours in the field of football, sport and life in general, such as the regrettable and unfortunate comments made in recent hours against our player Vinicius Junior.

“Real Madrid wants to show all its love and support for Vinicius Jr., a player who understands football as an attitude towards life based on joy, respect and sportsmanship.

Responding to Bravo’s insult, Vinicius Jr took the high ground tweeting, “They say that happiness bothers. The happiness of a victorious black Brazilian in Europe bothers much more.

“But my desire to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that.

“ You can’t imagine it. I was a victim of a xenophobic and racist comment. But none of that started yesterday.

“Weeks ago they began to criminalise my dances. Dances that are not mine. They belong to Ronaldinho, Neymar, Paqueta, Griezmann, Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha…they belong to Brazilian funk and samba artists, reggaeton singers and black Americans.

“Those are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it, respect it. I’m not going to stop.”