LaLiga EA Sports v Racism

LaLiga and EA Sports are teaming up once again with the shared goal of eliminating Racism in all aspects of society, including football and gaming.

For the fourth consecutive year, they are launching VS Racism, a 360º campaign that will run over the coming weeks, coinciding with March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

This initiative is part of the broader ‘Transforming The Game’ concept, which defines the commitment of LaLiga and EA Sports to building the football of the future, a football capable of creating a positive impact on society.

For the fourth edition of this campaign against Racism, LaLiga and EA Sports collaborated with urban artist SUSO33, who developed the creative concept that serves as the foundation of the entire campaign: Crisol de Culturas (Melting Pot of Cultures).

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 will, in turn, be integrated into EA Sports FC 25 from March 21 where fans will be able to unlock the jersey through a series of objectives.

FOOTBALL AND URBAN ART, A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF CHANGE

Football, like urban art, is a powerful tool for social change. Its ability to bring attention to different realities, spark debate, and inspire awareness makes it a universal language that transcends borders, breaks down barriers, and unites hearts. In every stadium, as in every painting, stories, roots, and dreams converge.

MELTING POT OF CULTURES: ART AND FOOTBALL UNITE AGAINST Racism

Art is a universal language capable of evoking emotions, connecting and transmitting messages that transcend any barrier. In this edition of VS Racism, urban art and football come together to shape a campaign that promotes unity and inclusion.

Through urban art and football, two popular cultural expressions that were born on the streets and have grown into spaces of identity and community, the campaign builds a message against Racism.

For this, SUSO33's work Crisol de Culturas (Melting Pot of Cultures) becomes the visual centrepiece of the campaign. A specially adapted version of his work has been created for this project, symbolising the blending of origins, the richness of diversity and the coexistence of cultures. SUSO33's human art reinforces the idea that art, like football, knows no borders: both are languages that everyone can feel and share.

From stadiums to the digital world, the campaign aims to create an impact through artwork that resonates emotionally and raises awareness. Because in football, as in society, true strength lies in unity, embracing our differences and understanding that only together can we overcome all forms of discrimination.

THE ARTIST BEHIND THE ARTWORK

SUSO33 created an adaptation of his piece Crisol de Culturas for this campaign. For him, it was “a great responsibility and an exciting challenge to design this campaign”.

“I immersed myself in the history of football as a union of cultures, exploring how it has served as a vehicle for integration in many countries. I also researched artistic movements that have fought against discrimination, from social muralism to street art with a message.

"And, of course, I was inspired by the racial and cultural diversity that defines both football and society in general,” he added.

In July last year, the Community of Madrid decided to include urban art pieces in its inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Among the selected works are some by SUSO33, showcasing what the artist refers to as human art.

EA SPORTS FC 25 AS A PLATFORM FOR CHANGE

LaLiga and EA Sports recognise that sport is one of the most powerful platforms and sources of influence for young people and society as a whole.

This is why they are launching another edition of this initiative, which seeks to raise awareness and educate society as a whole, so no one remains indifferent in the fight against Racism and actively joins the fight against it.

As part of the initiative, EA Sports FC 25 players will be able to select the shirt created by SUSO33 as the kit for all teams from March 21 onwards. To unlock the kit fans will be able to complete a series of in-game objectives.

Additionally, the VS Racism visual identity will be fully integrated into the game, just as it will be seen in LaLiga EA Sports and LaLiga Hypermotion stadiums. Through this initiative, LaLiga and EA Sports are once again breaking the barriers between the real and virtual worlds, staying true to the “Transforming the Game” concept.

ACTIVITIES DURING LALIGA MATCHES

During Matchday 28 in LaLiga EA Sports and Matchday 31 in LaLiga Hypermotion, LaLiga players will take to the field wearing a special commemorative shirt, inspired by the artwork at the heart of this year's campaign.

There will also be further initiatives carried out in stadiums to raise fan awareness. These include the Toblerone signs that the players will be posing behind, LED boards on the pitch, on the advertising boards, on the captains' armbands and on the video scoreboards.

Once again, the anti-racism anthem #1VoiceVSRacism will play, which has become an iconic song in Spain’s fight against racism.

These messages will also be broadcast internationally, ensuring that both fans in the stadium and those watching via broadcasters understand the importance of eradicating racism on and off the field.

As in previous years and with the aim of maximising the impact of the campaign and bringing its message to fans around the world, the clubs have also joined the initiative, encouraging their players to speak out and share messages of awareness with the public.

Additionally, each club will receive a unique piece of art by SUSO33, in the form of a spray can personalised with the identity of each club.

AN EVEN STRONGER PARTNERSHIP WITH PUMA

Puma joins as a key ally in the fight against racism, contributing its creativity and commitment to the VS Racism campaign. In this edition, the brand designed a special ball inspired by SUSO33's 'Crisol de Culturas', turning it into a symbol of diversity and inclusion on the field of play.

To extend the initiative beyond a single moment, this special edition VS Racism ball will be used in Matchday 29 of LaLiga EA Sports, Matchday 33 of LaLiga Hypermotion and Matchday 24 of Liga F, bringing the campaign's message to every pass, every move and every goal.

Through this initiative, Puma strengthens its role in building a fairer and more inclusive football, where respect and equality take centre stage.

WHAT CAN LALIGA DO TO STOP RACISM?

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.

Although more sanctioning powers have been requested, LaLiga highlights three major legal victories in Spain regarding racist offences since then:

The first, in June 2024, came against three individuals accused of racially abusing Vinicius Jr at a Valencia CF-Real Madrid match, who were handed an eight-month prison sentence, a two-year ban from entering a stadium and ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings.

The second, in September 2024 against the same person accused of insulting Vinicius Jr in an RCD Mallorca-Real Madrid match, and Chukwueze in an RCD Mallorca-Villarreal CF match.The sentences included six months of prison per offence and a one-year, six-month stadium ban.

The third, on 25 February, LaLiga received notification of the sentence against a fan who hurled racist abuse at Carlos Akapo during the Granada CF - Cádiz CF match on February 28, 2022. The offender received a one-year prison sentence and a one-year, two-month stadium ban.

These cases set a legal precedent regarding the criminal consequences of this type of behaviour.

Furthermore, LaLiga actively combats racism on social media through M.O.O.D, 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.

Under this agreement, LaLiga committed to sharing M.O.O.D's insights from the start of this season onwards.

Fans will also be able to find QR codes on seats, posters, and audiovisual media, through which they can directly and quickly report any hate crime witnessed in the stadium. The QR codes, which have been permanently installed in the stadiums, will take you to the LaLiga VS website, where you can report any incident easily and anonymously, if you wish.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN PREVIOUS YEARS?

Over the years, LaLiga and EA Sports have remained steadfast in their commitment to the fight against racism, evolving each edition of VS Racism with new creative expressions that reinforce the message of unity and inclusion. Each campaign has been a step forward in this battle, using art, music and symbolism to connect with fans and raise awareness.

In 2022, the Together VS Racism campaign marked the beginning of this evolution. In 2023, the art group ‘Boa Mistura’ brought the word Unity to life, symbolising the strength of diversity and togetherness as a weapon against racism.

In 2024, LaLiga and EA Sports teamed up with Little Spain to launch #1VoiceVSRacism, an anthem that echoed throughout the stadiums of the 42 LaLiga clubs, reinforcing the idea that only by raising a single voice together can this fight be won. This year, that same anthem will play once again, reaffirming the commitment of the competition and its fans to equality and respect.