Real Madrid File Hate Crime Complaint After Vinicius Junior Faced Racist Insults During Valencia Game | world news

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Brazilian footballer Vinicius Junior has been the victim of racist abuse on several occasions this season while playing in La Liga. He said the incidents meant that in his native country, Spain was now “known as a country of racists”.

Monday, May 22, 2023 12:01 PM, United Kingdom

Real Madrid have filed a hate crime complaint with Spanish prosecutors after Vinicius Junior was the target of racist insults during their away game against Valencia.

Madrid’s match against Valencia was put on hold on Sunday night after the half-time break as the 22-year-old Brazilian reported taunting supporters to the referee.

Vinicius, who has been the victim of racist abuse from the stands on several occasions this season, was furious, prompting his teammates and opposing players to try to calm him down on the Mestalla pitch in Valencia.

The Brazilian was later sent off for violent conduct in injury time of his side’s 1-0 loss following an altercation with Valencia striker Hugo Duro – the first red card of his career.

France striker Kylian Mbappe led the messages of support for Vinicius.

He wrote in a written Instagram post, “You are not alone. We are with you and we support you.”

The 24-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star was himself the target of racist abuse after France lost to Argentina in the World Cup final last year.

Image: Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior mimics abuse directed at him by a fan

His message of support came after former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, an anti-racism campaigner, posted on Instagram: “(Vinicius) shown red card after being choked and victimized racial slurs during the game.

“How many times do we need to see this young man subjected to this shit?? I see pain, I see disgust, I see him needing help…and the authorities are not doing anything to help him .

“People need to stick together and demand more from the authorities who run our game.

“No one deserves this, but you allow it.

“There needs to be a unified approach on this or else it will be swept under the rug again.”

Image: Vinicius Junior gestures towards a fan after witnessing abuse

In reference to Vinicius Jr receiving a red card, Match Of The Day presenter and former England striker Gary Lineker tweeted: “Once again the abused player is the only person to be punished.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also expressed his support for Vinicius and said in a statement: “Total solidarity with Vinicius. There is no place for racism in football or in society and FIFA supports all players who have found themselves in such a situation.”

In a statement on Instagram after the game, Vinicius referred to previous cases of racist abuse and accused Spanish football authorities of not doing enough.

“It wasn’t the first time, nor the second or the third. Racism is normal in La Liga,” he said.

“The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation and the opponents are also encouraging it. I’m really sorry.”

“La Liga belongs to the racists”

Vinicius says the Spanish league, which once ‘belonged’ to star players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, ‘now belongs to the racists’.

“Sorry for the Spaniards who disagree, but today in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists,” he added.

“And unfortunately, with everything that happens every week, I have no way to defend myself. I agree.”

Meanwhile, La Liga president Javier Tebas has accused Vinicius of twice failing to show up for meetings to discuss what can be done ‘in case of racism’.

Mr Tebas wrote: “Before criticizing and insulting La Liga, it is necessary that you properly inform yourself Vinicius Jr.”

Vinicius hit back and said: “Once again, instead of criticizing the racists, the La Liga president appears on social media to attack me.”

He added that he wanted “actions and punishments” for people who start racist chants.

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti previously backed his player after the game, saying La Liga ‘have a problem’ with racism.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: ‘We cannot allow racism to be part of life in a football stadium’

The Italian says the referee should have stopped the game because of the ‘unacceptable’ chants directed at Vinicius.

“The whole stadium insults a player with racist chants, and the match must stop,” he added.

Mr Ancelotti also tweeted: “Today was a sad day in Mestalla, where a group of fans showed their worst version.

“It’s time to stop talking and act loudly. Racism can have no place in football or in society. NO TO RACISM ANYWHERE.”

However, Valencia manager Javier Solis says Mr Ancelotti is wrong to blame all the fans.

He said: “In light of Mr Ancelotti’s unfortunate and completely incorrect statements, in which he called all Mestalla fans racist, the club cannot tolerate this.

“We dismiss these complaints head on. Perhaps it was the result of a language error and he must have understood another word as being said.

“The club condemns any kind of racist insults and tries to identify those who have made any gesture or action, but to label all Valencia CF supporters as racists is nonsense and the club cannot stand silent.”

Image: Kylian Mbappe was the victim of racist abuse after France lost in the World Cup final

Sunday’s treatment of Vinicius at the Mestalla was also condemned by Brazilian President Lula da Silva.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Japan, he called on FIFA and La Liga to ‘take action so that we don’t let racism and fascism take hold’ of sport.

The president said Vinicius, widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world, was “insulted at every stadium he goes to”.

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Club Vow Survey

La Liga issued their own statement, saying they have been ‘fighting this type of behavior for years’.

Valencia also issued a statement on their club’s website, pledging to investigate what happened and to ‘take the most severe measures’.

“Valencia CF wishes to publicly condemn any type of insult, attack or disqualification in football,” he added.

Some 46,000 fans were in attendance for Sunday’s game, which saw Valencia move up to 13th in the table and Madrid remain third – 14 points behind rivals and champions Barcelona.

Diego Lopez scored the game’s only goal in the 33rd minute for the home side.

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