The Premier League resumed less than a week ago after the competition was suspended due to the global health crisis in March.
Weeks before the sport returned across much of Europe, the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25th resulted in protests in the United States and other countries.
A lot of celebrities, including athletes, took on social media to share their anger, and to start a renewed fight against racism. The list included Newcastle United’s Valentino Lazaro.
The 24-year-old is currently on loan at the Tyneside club from Inter Milan and prior to the Magpies’ 3-0 victory over Sheffield United, he gave an interview to Der Standard in Austria.
Lazaro was asked about his Instagram post on June 3rd, in which he urged people to “speak up” and demanded “justice” for Floyd.
He said: “I have seen that many athletes and public figures have expressed themselves collectively, only a few have done so individually. I told myself: ‘It’s enough’, I took my phone and recorded a video.
“Maybe I can use my platform to reach at least a few people… I have not discussed this with anyone and have not given any thought to it and if it would be received well or not. I didn’t care what it did to my image because it was important to me.”
“First, I am a human being and then, I am footballer. And I can say just as much about these issues as anyone else.
“If I score five own goals the day before and say the next day that racism is wrong, it is independent of each other. Everyone who wants to contribute something positive to society should also have the right to do so.
“You see that people know what is right and are ready to stand up for it, which makes you proud.”
When asked how was the reaction to his post, Lazaro explained: “Positive. But even if it wasn’t, that’s my opinion. I stand by it.”
The Austria international is also of the belief certain players are advised against speaking out in public to not harm their image. He explained this when asked why a lot of footballers don’t discuss these topics.
“Many footballers want to protect their brand, their image. The people around them reinforce this,” the Newcastle loanee stressed.
“Often people are left behind, and they have to say themselves: ‘I am old enough to express my opinion.’ If it is positive, well, if not, I can’t blame myself, because I didn’t pretend. But everyone may not have the confidence.”
