Vincius Jnior, a Real Madrid winger, accused La Liga and Spain of racism after receiving racial epithets from spectators during Sunday’s loss at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium.
The international player for Brazil called out Valencia supporters who were criticizing him, which caused the game to be delayed for ten minutes.
He subsequently got into a fight with Valencia’s players, which resulted in his dismissal during extra time.
Responding on Twitter, Vinicius stated:
“racism is normal in LaLiga” and that “the championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano, and Messi today belongs to racists.”
“It was not the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition considers it normal, the federation considers it normal and the rivals encourage it,” Vinicius posted on Twitter after the game.
“The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to the racists.
“A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which accepted to export to the world the image of a racist country. I am sorry for those Spaniards who disagree but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.
“I am strong and I will go all the way against the racists. Even if it is far away from here,” he added.
Real’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, also spoke out against the incident on social media, saying: “Today has been a sad day at Mestalla, where a group of fans have shown their worst version. It is time to stop talking and act forcefully. Racism has no place in football or in society. NO TO RACISM ANYWHERE”.
Vinícius Júnior’s team mate and fellow Brazil international Éder Militão expressed his support for the forward. “It’s a disgrace! To suffer racism, to defend yourself and then be sent off trying to defend yourself! How long do we have to put up with this?”
The president of the Brazilian football confederation, Ednaldo Rodrigues, also sent a message of support to the 22-year-old player. “How long are we going to experience, in the middle of the 21st century, episodes like the one we just witnessed, once again, in La Liga? There is no joy where there is racism. Skin colour can no longer bother,” he said on social media.
La Liga will request all available images in order to investigate what took place in light of the incident. “If any hate crime is identified, we will take the appropriate legal action,” it said in a statement.
