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PHOTOS: Football world 'goes bananas' in solidarity with Dani Alves!
In a unique show of solidarity, footballers from around the globe stood together in support of FC Barcelona's Brazilian defender Dani Alves who was victim of racist taunt involving a banana during a La Liga match on Sunday.
- Sports world sees new low after racism rears its ugly head
Alves, who has previously taken a stand against racism at matches in Spain, grabbed the banana thrown in front of him onto the pitch, quickly peeled it and took a bite before tossing away the skin and completing the kick. (Here is a video grab of the incident, posted on Alves’s Instagram page).
From teammate Alex Song to Italy and AC Milan's bad boy Mario Balotelli, everyone had a banana in their hand!
Brazilian Hulk and his entire family posed with the fruit while former Real Madrid and Brazil great Roberto Carlos also came out to support the courageous Alves on Tuesday.
PHOTOS: Football world 'goes bananas' in solidarity with Dani Alves!
"We are all monkeys, we are all the same, say no to racism," Alves's Barca and Brazil teammate Neymar wrote on his Twitter feed with a picture of him holding a peeled banana, one of a number of high-profile players who expressed their support.
"Great to see the support of all our members, like Neymar Jr. We all are against racism! #respect", it was posted on FIFPro's Facebook wall.
PHOTOS: Football world 'goes bananas' in solidarity with Dani Alves!
Among other players who expressed support to Alves and strengthened their stand against racism were Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
"Also Robert Lewandowski & Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are against racism! #NoToRacism," FIFPro wrote on their Facebook wall.
PHOTOS: Football world 'goes bananas' in solidarity with Dani Alves!
Argentina and Manchester City striker Sergio 'Kun' Aguero teamed up with five-times Brazilian Women Player of the year, Marta, to pose for a picture of support.
"Sergio Aguero and Brazilian footballer Marta Vieira da Silva are against racism! Like if you support them and FIFPro World XI player Dani Alves!." it was posted on Facebook.
PHOTOS: Football world 'goes bananas' in solidarity with Dani Alves!
Support to Dani Alves evidently went beyond world football.
Here we see world boxing heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko with an anti-racism statement on a banana skin.
"Great statement Dani Alves #Notoracism," it was posted on the Ukrainian's Facebook page.