Joelinton speaks out about receiving racist abuse after defeat against Arsenal

Joelinton speaks out about receiving racist abuse after Newcastle United’s 2-0 defeat against Arsenal at home last month.

The 26-year-old, who played a key role in the club’s qualification for next season’s Champions League, spoke about the subject while on international duty with Brazil, saying “many things need to be changed”.

“It’s an important moment to speak about racism,” Joelinton said at a press conference. “We have been talking about it for a long time, still many things need to be changed. We talk about a combat against racism… but we didn’t have much of a change.

“This (racism) is not something happening now, but for a long time. And in the 21st Century, we still see things like that. It’s hard to accept and believe we are evolving when things like that still happen.”

When questioned if he had ever experienced racism on the pitch he said: “Not on the pitch, no. But after the match against Arsenal, playing at home, I have received some messages with racist insults. But… it’s gone. It didn’t affect me.”

Joelinton, who look set to earn his first cap for his country in upcoming friendlies against Guinea and Senegal, was sent a message of support from his club.

Newcastle United responded to the interview by tweeting: “There is no room for racism. Anywhere. We’re with you, Joe.”

Newcastle fan group Wor Flags shared a photo of one of their displays from earlier this season which read: “Show racism the red card.”

We stand in solidarity with Joelinton.

Racism or any form of discrimination will not be tolerated by the Premier League.

We will continue to work alongside clubs to ensure cases are reported and investigated and offenders face consequences.

You can report discriminatory abuse… https://t.co/hi2cD5tdEJ

— Premier League (@premierleague) June 13, 2023

Joelinton reveals he received racist abuse following Newcastle’s Premier League game against Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/JsTSR6rQ1Y

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 13, 2023

Joelinton also spoke of his joy at his first ever international nod.

‘I wanted to go to the beach and my wife told me to wait. I thought: if I get the news, I’ll be there. If I don’t receive it, I’ll be sad, but at least I’ll enjoy the beach.

‘When he said my name, I just cried. It’s a feeling of pride, of seeing that the effort is being seen.’

His Brazil teammate Vinicius Jr was the target of racist abuse a number of times while playing for Real Madrid last season.

Brazil’s upcoming games against Guinea and Senegal will be played in Lisbon, Portugal on the 17th and 20th of June, as part of an anti-racism campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti clashes with journalists after slamming grim racist abuse aimed at Vinicius Jr

Here’s how fans reacted as Joelinton speaks out about receiving racist abuse after defeat against Arsenal…

@ItsNiceUpNorth1: To be fair, he doesn’t say who’s fan base it was. Could have been our own. Either way it’s pathetic and disgusting. Sorry people are so pathetic, Big Joe

@lisamole: Every true fan is behind Joe – no room for racism in football or society 😡

@DanielNUFC85: They’re brave starting on Big Joe

@Ellie_Nufc9: Absolutely disgusting that racism exists. We love you Joe! 🖤🤍🖤🤍

@nufc_rob: We all have a responsibility to challenge it and stamp it out 🖤🤍

@titan_toon: There’s an assumption by supporters of both clubs that it’s the other fans and couldn’t possibly be them. This is completely the wrong argument. The fact that players are insulted because of the colour of their skin by ANY football supporter is completely unacceptable. Jail time.

@NUFCLC: Bloke is one of the most selfless characters in football too. True hero 🇧🇷🖤🤍

@graeex: He doesn’t say which fans it was. So let’s not accuse. There’s no place for racism anywhere. #kickitout

@labpedro: Football is a mirror of society, and society is filled with hate, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc etc….until we change society, nothing in football will change. We also can’t assume it was Arsenal fans that did this. Change society and football will follow.

@BenToland22: We Love You Joey ❤️

@YxungGeezer: Head up king, you’re an absolute baller. Can’t wait to see you develop even more. Next season gonna be insane. Newcastle are so entertaining to watch and big credit goes to you and Bruno for that

@Slim17451471: Find them, arrest them, charge them, and ban them from football. This is ridiculous! Players need to start walking out in the middle of a game when this happens.

@SteveMallam: Anybody denying this and calling him a liar is part of the problem. You are victim blaming. Whether it was Arsenal fans, Newcastle fans or internet trolls, it happened and it’s unacceptable. We should be united in opposing the racists, regardless of who they are.

@CraigTuck22: I’d be absolutely disgusted and ashamed if this is any of our fan base. Don’t want them at our club at all. But this is deeper than one set of fans. Saying ‘we won so it wasn’t us’ is bullsh. It’s rife throughout football and disgusting. Well done big Joe for speaking out

@LevelHeadedGoon: Should never happen and is never acceptable in any capacity. Disappointed but thankfully not a consistent problem at our ground. Need it eradicated 100% and sorry he faced that

@paul1892murray: There’s not enough punishment in place for this! A fine and a ban? Should be imprisonment!

@LFC_Tekkerz: It’s always the same talk but no action

@JacobLongley4: People point scoring make no sense. Racists should be banned regardless of the team they support. Saying one fan base is racist will do nothing to help the situation. All fan bases have a minority who r dicks. Sadly that won’t change for a while unless they’re banned

https://t.co/ftJgb2EF7x pic.twitter.com/G4AZRbHNED

— Wor Flags 🏴🏳 (@worflags) June 13, 2023