DANIEL ALVES EATS BANANA THROWN AT HIM DURING A SOCCER MATCH

Racism has been a reoccurring issue in soccer for years and unfortunately another incident occurred on April 27 at a game between Barcelona and Villarreal when a banana was thrown at Daniel Alves.

The defender was going to take a corner during the match between Barcelona and Villarreal when a fan threw a banana that landed at his feet. He simply picked up the banana, peeled it, took a bite and continued to play.

Daniel Alves is not the first player to experience racist taunting during a competition but he is one of the first to respond with humor.  When he saw the banana, he treated it as if it were a snack.

Shortly after the banana incident, Alves launched a cross that Mateo Musacchio headed into his own goal before Lionel Messi scored Barcelona's winner.

After the match he said that humor is the best way to combat racism in sports.

"We have suffered this in Spain for some time," Alves said. If you don't give it importance, they won't achieve their objective."

The episode spread worldwide. Barcelona and Villarreal have already manifested against it. Stars and athletes have posted photos with bananas showing the player their support and condemning racist acts.

Manchester City Argentine attacker Sergio Agüero tweeted "We say no to racism. We are all equal". He posted a picture eating a banana together with Brazilian player Marta.

Talisca Reis, Brazilian taekwondo fighter, has also joined the movement posting a photo holding a banana. "Say no to prejudice", she wrote.

Among celebrities, the singer Alexandre Pires posted a picture of himself eating the fruit: "Here's the banana!! #SOMOSTODOSMACACOS". TV hosts Luciano Huck and Angélica also mentioned the incident on Facebook.

Fifa released an official statement condemning the episode and assured the upcoming World Cup will be a good opportunity to reinforce the war against racism.

"Fifa condemns any type of discrimination and it is sad to see such racist incidents continue to occur in football. We keep asking the football community to unite and to use their voces to eradicate racism from football and society".

"The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will be the perfect occasion to send a clear message to the world: football is for all and we will not tolerate any form of discrimination", said the entity.