Barcelona winger Raphinha has publicly accused Disneyland Paris of racial discrimination after an incident involving his two-year-old son, Gael, during a family visit on Friday, September 5, 2025.
In a strongly worded Instagram story, the Brazilian international alleged that a costumed mascot deliberately ignored his child while warmly engaging with other children. According to Raphinha, the mascot “hugged and high-fived white children but bypassed my son,” which he described as “a disgrace.”
🚨 Raphinha dénonce un acte raciste à Disneyland Paris 🤬
« Pourquoi avoir pris dans les bras tous les enfants blancs et pas mon fils ? Il voulait juste un check et un câlin. Heureusement, il ne comprend pas… Vos employés sont une honte. On ne traite pas un enfant comme ça. » pic.twitter.com/Miu6pMrUhC
— Vision Blaugrana (@VisionBlaugrana) September 5, 2025
The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated online, shows Gael reaching out to the character but being passed over, while nearby children received attention. The footage has since gone viral, sparking outrage on social media, with many users demanding accountability from Disneyland Paris and calling out what they perceive as a recurring problem of racial bias at the theme park.
So far, Disneyland Paris has not issued an official response, but the incident has amplified debates over racial sensitivity, inclusivity, and staff training at global entertainment venues.
Raphinha’s complaint adds to a growing list of controversies involving alleged racial discrimination at amusement parks worldwide, further fueling calls for stricter oversight and improved diversity awareness programs.
Source – My News Ghana
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