Real Madrid player Vinícius Jr. racially abused during Spanish La Liga match
CNN
23-05-22 00:13
An investigation has been launched by La Liga following reports of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinícius Jr. during a match against Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium. The incident prompted Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to suggest that referees should abandon games when racist chanting occurs. Vinícius Jr. was sent off in the final minutes of the game for his part in an altercation with Valencia player Hugo Duro. The player posted a message on Instagram describing the racist abuse he has experienced during the current season, alleging that racism is “normal in La Liga” and that Spanish football has allowed the “image of a racist country” to be exported across the world. La Liga has reported nine separate racist incidents involving Vinícius Jr. to the relevant authorities over the past two seasons. However, it has no power to punish clubs or fans for incidents of racist abuse.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. has criticized La Liga and Spain as "racist" after being subjected to racial abuse from stands during Sunday's defeat against Valencia. After pointing out fans who were targeting him, the match was stopped for 10 minutes. Vinicius then became involved in an altercation with Valencia’s players, leading to him being sent off in the second half. LaLiga has pledged to investigate the issue and take appropriate legal action. Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called on soccer's world governing body FIFA to stop racism in the sport.
Real Madrid player Vinícius Júnior has accused Spanish football of allowing racism to become normalised. The Brazilian winger made the comments after Real Madrid’s match against Valencia on 14 November was temporarily halted when the player went to the stands and pointed to where he claimed fans were shouting racial abuse at him. Real Madrid Manager Carlos Ancelotti has said "what happened today shouldn't happen". Vinícius, who has been subjected to racist abuse from fans before, wrote on social media in Portuguese that the country once belonged "to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi" but now belongs "to racists".
A LaLiga TV commentator has sparked outrage online by claiming Vinicius Jr "is not an angel" and that he "provokes other teams" after the Real Madrid star was sent off for his reaction to being the victim of racist abuse from the stands during a 1-0 defeat to Valencia on Sunday. While LaLiga TV covered the game, co-commentator Toni Padilla said that while it's important to stand against racism, Vinicius should not be free from blame for the sending off. Padilla's comments have subsequently sparked outrage online, while some Twitter users questioned who will protect Vinicius Junior in Spain against the abuse. The incident has garnered attention in the press and on social media, with the publication of video footage showing Vinicius being subjected to a barrage of racist slurs that were directed at him by the Valencia supporters. As reported on Wednesday, LaLiga faces backlash over its lack of action on repeated racist abuse incidents.
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