Vinicius Jr, the Brazilian forward for Real Madrid, has labeled La Liga and Spain racist after receiving racial slurs from the stands during Sunday’s defeat at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium.
Vinicius Jr. called out the fans who were insulting him, which caused the game to be stopped for 10 minutes, and then got into an altercation with Valencia’s players, which resulted in his dismissal in the second half.
“This was not the first, second, or third time. Racism is prevalent in La Liga. “The competition thinks it’s normal, the federation thinks it’s normal, and the rivals encourage it,” Vinicius said after the game on Twitter.
“The title that used to belong to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano (Ronaldo), and (Lionel) Messi now belongs to racists.”
“A beautiful nation that welcomed me and that I adore, but which accepted to project the image of a racist country to the rest of the world.” I apologize to those Spaniards who disagree, but Spain is now known in Brazil as a racist country.
“I am strong, and I will fight the racists to the death.” Even if it’s a long way away,” he added.
In light of the incident, LaLiga will request all available images in order to investigate what occurred.
“If any hate crime is identified, we will take appropriate legal action,” the organization said in a statement.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas responded to Vinicius Jr’s remarks by asking him to educate himself on what can be done in cases of racism.
“Since those who should explain to you what it is and what LaLiga can do in cases of racism, we have tried to explain it ourselves, but you have not shown up for either of the two agreed dates that you requested yourself,” he tweeted.
“Before you criticize and slander LaLiga, @Vinijr, you should do your homework.” Don’t be duped, and make sure you understand each other’s competencies and the work we’ve been doing together,” he added.
MESSAGES OF SUPPORT
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his support for the player and urged FIFA, the world governing body of football, to end racism in the sport.
“I’d like to express my support for our Brazilian player, a poor boy who has achieved success in life and has the potential to become one of the best players in the world if not the best at Real Madrid.” And he is attacked in every stadium where he plays,” he said during a press conference.
“I believe it is critical that FIFA, the Spanish league, and leagues in other countries take real action because fascism and racism cannot be tolerated in football stadiums.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti also took to social media to condemn the incident.
“Today was a sad day at Mestalla, where a group of fans displayed their worst selves.” It is time to stop talking and start acting. Racism is unacceptable in football or in society. NO RACISM ANYWHERE.”
Eder Militao, Vinicius Jr’s teammate and fellow Brazil international, has expressed his support for the forward.
“What a disgrace! To be subjected to racism, to defend yourself, and then to be sent off to defend yourself! “How much longer must we put up with this?”
Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), also expressed his support for the 22-year-old player.
“How long will we be witnessing episodes like the one we just witnessed in La Liga in the middle of the twenty-first century?” Where there is racism, there is no joy. “Skin color is no longer an issue,” he said on social media.
The Brazilian Ministry of Racial Affairs stated on Twitter, “The Brazilian government will not tolerate racism, either here or outside Brazil,” adding that it will inform the Spanish authorities and LaLiga about what happened to Vinicius.
The Spanish league has previously filed complaints against Vinicius Jr for racist chanting or insults, the most recent of which was a claim before a court in Mallorca after fans were filmed racially abusing the forward.
Vinicius Jr is also being investigated for a possible hate crime after a mannequin wearing his number 20 shirt was hung from a bridge outside Real Madrid’s training complex in January.
