Nota de Prensa
JUE 13.03.2025
LALIGA, in partnership with EA SPORTS FC, is launching the fourth consecutive edition of its VS RACISM campaign to mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21. Through his artwork ‘Melting Pot of Cultures,’ urban artist SUSO33 showcases how football and urban art are universal languages that transcend borders, break barriers, and foster dialogue and respect among different cultures.
This year marks the fourth edition of the VS RACISM campaign, following on from the previous Unity VS Racism, Together VS Racism and #1voiceVSRACISM campaigns. In addition to bringing back the anthem that gave voice to last year’s campaign, 2025 sees LALIGA and EA SPORTS FC collaborating with urban artist SUSO33, who merges urban art and football to reflect the diversity and cultural richness they both represent. VS RACISM is another step in ‘Transforming The Game’, the shared vision of both organisations to shape the future of football and to move towards a football capable of creating a positive impact on society.
Jorge de la Vega, Executive Director of LALIGA, said: "Racism has no place in football or our society. At LALIGA, we continue working year after year to eradicate all forms of hatred, promoting values of respect, diversity, and inclusion. Sport should be a reflection of unity and coexistence among cultures.”
To bring this campaign to life with art as a key pillar, Madrid-based artist SUSO33 has adapted his piece ‘Melting Pot of Cultures.’ In a world in which identities evolve through interaction and exchange, football and art share a common language: they transcend borders, recognising creativity, talent and passion. SUSO33’s human-centered art is the backbone of the campaign, conveying an essential message of awareness and education against racism. This sentiment is reflected daily across LALIGA, where players of different races and nationalities from all over the world coexist on the pitch, showcasing how diversity is one of sport's greatest strengths.
Furthermore, in July 2024, the Community of Madrid announced the inclusion of urban art in its inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with SUSO33 among the selected artists receiving official recognition and protection.
A 360-degree campaign will be launched across March, featuring many leading figures from the sports industry and a series of initiatives to reinforce its messaging.
● As in previous years, LALIGA players will take to the field on Matchday 28 in LALIGA EA SPORTS and Matchday 31 in LALIGA HYPERMOTION wearing a commemorative jersey. This jersey will be integrated into EA SPORTS FC 25 from March 21 onwards, with fans able to unlock the jersey by reaching a series of objectives. Through this initiative, EA SPORTS and LALIGA reinforce their commitment to diversity, respect, and inclusion, bringing the values promoted in the stadiums to the virtual pitch. EA SPORTS FC 25 players from all over the world will thus be able to equip their teams with this special shirt, becoming an active part of the fight against racism on and off the pitch. This forms part of a longstanding, annual campaign from EA SPORTS FC to proudly support their league partners in the ongoing fight against racism.
● Inside LALIGA stadiums, information about the initiative will be displayed on pitch-side LED boards, advertising boards, captain’s armbands, and on the video scoreboards, making clear football’s commitment to diversity and respect, and bringing players, clubs, and fans together.
● For Matchday 29 in LALIGA EA SPORTS, Matchday 33 in LALIGA HYPERMOTION, and Matchday 24 in Liga F, PUMA will also roll out a special-edition match ball inspired by SUSO33’s artwork. With this exclusive design, PUMA actively joins the initiative, using the ball as a symbol of diversity and the fight against racism.
Fighting racism, winning the battle in court
Since the 2015/2016 season, LALIGA has reported all violence and abuse occurring inside and outside stadiums to the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport, as well as to the RFEF's Competition Committee. While LALIGA is currently restricted by Spanish law to simply reporting events and findings to relevant bodies who do have jurisdiction on such matters, three major legal victories regarding racist incidents as a result of direct LALIGA action can be highlighted:
1) In June 2024, three individuals accused of racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr at a Valencia CF vs Real Madrid match were handed an eight-month prison sentence, a two-year ban from entering a stadium and ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings as a result of a complaint filed directly by LALIGA. The ruling was the first-ever conviction handed down in Spain for racist abuse at a football match.
2) In September 2024, a ruling was secured against an individual accused of racially insulting Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr in an RCD Mallorca vs Real Madrid match, and Villarreal CF’s Samuel Chukwueze in an RCD Mallorca vs Villarreal CF match. The sentence included six months in prison per offence and an 18-month stadium ban.
3) On 25 February 2025, LALIGA received notification of the sentence against a fan who directed racist abuse at Cádiz CF’s Carlos Akapo during the Granada CF vs Cádiz CF match in February 2022. The individual in question received a one-year prison sentence and a 14-month stadium ban.
These recent cases have set a legal precedent regarding the criminal consequences for racist behaviour.
LALIGA also continuously and actively combats racism on social media through M.O.O.D, (‘Monitor for the Observation of Hate in Sport’) an independent tool for monitoring sports-related conversations in Spain. In June 2024, LALIGA and the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration signed a collaboration agreement with the aim of fighting racism in sport, promoting inclusion and generating debate to eradicate discriminatory behaviour in sport, with LALIGA committing to sharing M.O.O.D's insights from the start of this season onwards.
© LALIGA - 2025