Thanks to the repulsive comments from Donald Sterling, we’ve had racism invade our sports in the U.S. recently. While we debate and write think pieces about how to handle Sterling, Sterling’s team, the Los Angeles Clippers, staged a silent protest before their game on Sunday.

In Spain, a similar silent response to racism took place at a sporting event on Sunday. It occurred when a Villareal CF fan threw a banana (a sadly common event at soccer matches) at FC Barcelona right back Dani Alves, while he attempted to take a corner kick. And, as much as I respected the Clippers protest, Alves’ reply was even better.

“I don’t know who threw the banana,” Alves said, “but I want to thank him. It gave me the energy to put two more crosses in for our goals.”

In a positive turn of events, it appears that Alves’ gesture has turned into a small movement in the soccer community.

______________________________________________________________________________

Charlie Crespo (@Little_Utopia) is the editor-in-chief of Little Utopia.

Previously from Charlie Crespo:
♦ Everything You Think You Know About Your Bed is a Lie
♦ Viral Video of the Week: Dog Athlete Attempts World Record Long Jump
♦ Viral Video of the Week: Local News is Great in Other Countries Too
♦ Once Again, Beer is Here to Save Us All
♦ Viral Video of the Week: BASE Jumping Off the Freedom Tower