Brazil wear an all-black jersey for the first time in their history as part of the teams’ anti-racism campaign

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Vincius Junior takes a knee before the game.

CNN

The Brazilian men’s national team wore an all-black kit for the first time in its 109-year history in a friendly against Guinea in Spain on Saturday as part of the team’s anti-racism campaign.

Players from both teams knelt or sat on the pitch at the Espanyol stadium and observed a minute’s silence before the game in Barcelona.

Brazil played the first 45 minutes of the match in black shirts, shorts and socks before reverting to their traditional yellow jersey after the break. The campaign slogan, Com Racismo nao tem jogo, meaning, With racism there is no game, was displayed on the front of the shirts.

The slogan is part of the Brazilian FA’s campaign, with the support of world sport’s governing body FIFA, to end racism in football and in society, according to a FA statement on Saturday.

One of the country’s best players, Real Madrid striker Vincius Jr., was the victim of persistent racist abuse during Real’s 1-0 loss to Valencia at the Mestalla stadium in May, making it the 10th incident involving the Brazilian striker that Spain’s La Liga reported to prosecutors during the 2022-23 season.

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Brazilian striker Rodrygo (C) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Brazilian delegation on Thursday, announcing his full support for the campaign against racism.

As for the match, Brazil won 4-1 with goals scored by Joelinton, Rodrygo, Eder Milito and Vincius. Guirassy scored Guinea’s only goal.

Vincius donned the iconic number 10 jersey, the number once worn by the great Pelé, the first time, according to the Brazilian Federation.

Vincius has been invited by Infantino to take part in a FIFA anti-racism commission with players who will help suggest an action plan to deal with discriminatory behavior in football, the FIFA president said on Thursday.

Brazil are due to play their next friendly on Tuesday against Senegal in Lisbon, Portugal.

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