Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior revealed that racism is normal in La Liga after suffering abuse at Valencia. In the Mestalla during Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Valencia, there were shouts directed towards Vinicius. The game was paused in the second half for ten minutes as the obviously enraged 22-year-old seized the referee and pointed at the supporters he believed had assaulted him. After a fight with striker Hugo Duro, Vinicius was later dismissed for violent behavior in extra time.
“It wasn’t the first, second, or third time, either. In La Liga, racism is commonplace. In football, they believe it to be normal, the federation agrees, and the opposition supports it. I’m so depressed. Racism now holds the title that formerly belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano [Ronaldo], and Lionel Messi,” Vinicius Junior tweeted about the state of La Liga. “A stunning country that I like and that welcomed me consented to project the stereotype of a racist society to the rest of the globe. I’m sorry for the Spanish people who disagree, but Brazil now views Spain as a racist nation. Unfortunately, I have no defense for something that occurs every week. I let it to take place. But I am a strong person, and I will fight racism until the very end. even if it is far away.”
“Real Madrid vehemently denounces the actions taken against our youngster Vinicius Junior yesterday. The social and democratic coexistence paradigm of our state, which is built on the rule of law, has been directly attacked by these occurrences,” a club statement read. “Real Madrid considers such assaults to be hate crimes as well and has submitted the appropriate report to the Attorney General’s Office, specifically to the Prosecutor’s Office against Crimes of Hatred and Discrimination, in order for the facts to be investigated and for those responsible to be held accountable.”
The most recent accusation against Vinicius was made by the Spanish league in court in Mallorca after supporters were caught on camera racially insulting the forward. The Spanish league has previously reported incidents of racist shouting or comments against the forward. Following the January hanging of a mannequin sporting his number 20 shirt from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training facility, Spanish authorities are also looking into a potential hate crime against Vinicius.
“Valencia CF has opened a disciplinary procedure, will punish the participating supporters with the worst possible punishment, which may include a permanent stadium ban and is collaborating closely with law enforcement. The team vehemently rejects such conduct, which has no place in sport or society and does not align with Valencia CF’s values or those of our supporters,” a club statement read. “With a lifetime ban for a supporter who made fascist gestures to Arsenal fans during a UEFA Europa League game, Valencia CF has taken a firm stand against racism and has previously responded with the same vigour in 2019.”
Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Vinicius, remarked in a post-game interview that the taunts directed at his player were intolerable and demanded that the game be halted.
“Today’s events are intolerable. racism is being chanted around the crowd. Today is the wrong day for me to talk about football since it has no relevance. I informed the referee that he ought to have ended the game,” Ancelotti said. “La Liga has a difficulty. Vinicius is the most significant player in the world in my opinion. La Liga must halt the game because of these incidents of racism. The game must end because racist shouts are being directed at a player by the whole stadium. There is no other way to put it; I would say the same thing if we were winning 3-0.”
Valencia already issued a statement on their club website denouncing what occurred and announcing they will look into it.
“Valencia wants to strongly denounce any forms of football-related insults and abuse,” it read. “The club reiterates its opposition to both physical and verbal violence at stadiums and its strong commitment to the ideals of respect and sportsmanship. We are so pained by what happened during the La Liga encounter versus Real Madrid on matchday 35. Even if this is a one-off incident, insulting any opponent’s player is inappropriate in football and goes against Valencia’s core principles and identity.”
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