Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior expressed his disappointment and frustration after being subjected to racist chants during the La Liga match against Valencia.
The 22-year-old Brazilian player, who was later sent off for violent conduct in the 97th minute following an altercation with Hugo Duro, made a strong statement about racism in football.
Vinicius Junior’s response to the racist chants was to highlight the issue, as he firmly stated, “La Liga belongs to racists.”
The incident occurred earlier in the game when an agitated Vinicius tried to bring the attention of the referee to a Valencia fan who was engaging in racist behavior.
“The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano, and Messi today belongs to racists,” Vinicius wrote on Instagram.
“It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the federation does too and the opponents encourage it.
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“A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world. I’m sorry for the Spaniards who don’t agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.
“And unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defence. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here.”
In a statement, La Liga said it has been “fighting against this kind of behaviour for years, as well as promoting the positive values of sport, not only on the field of play, but also off it”.
Writing on Twitter after the match, La Liga president Javier Tebas said Vinicius twice did not turn up for a meeting with the governing body to discuss what it “can do in cases of racism”.
He added: “Before you criticise and slander La Liga you need to inform yourself properly.”
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Vinicius criticised the post for targeting him instead of the “racists” and said he wants La Liga to take “actions and punishments”.
Vinicius has been the subject of racist abuse several times this season.
The game was paused in the second half when he tried to point out fans in the crowd whom he believed to be racially abusing him.
He was ushered away by team-mates and Valencia players, before being spoken to by referee Ricardo de Burgos.
Vinicius was fired up from that moment and was sent off for the first time in La Liga for his involvement in an altercation between the two sets of players.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “What we saw today is unacceptable – an entire stadium chanting racist slurs.
“I don’t want to talk about football today. There is no meaning in talking about football today. I told the referee he should have stopped the match.
“La Liga has a problem. For me, Vinicius is the most important player in the world. These episodes of racism have to stop the match.
“It’s the entire stadium that is insulting a player with racist chants and the match has to stop. I would say the same if we were winning 3-0. There is no other way.“