Last Update: May 22, 2023, 15:18 IST
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior (Reuters)
Vinicius Junior received racial insults from fans in Real Madrid’s La Liga game at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium
Gianni Infantino, president of football governing body FIFA, expressed his support for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior after he called La Liga and Spain “racist” after receiving racial slurs from fans in Sunday’s game at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium.
Vinicius Júnior pointed at fans who were abusing him, causing the match to be stopped for 10 minutes, and then got into an altercation with Valencia players, which saw him sent off in the second half. Real lost the game 1–0.
The Brazil international later took to Twitter to express his disappointment, saying “racism is normal in La Liga” and described Spain as a “racist country”.
“It was not the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in LaLiga. The competition accepts it as normal, the federation accepts it as normal and the rivals encourage it,” Vinicius posted on Twitter after the game.
“The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Lionel) Messi, today belongs to racists.
“A beautiful country, which welcomed me and which I love, but which has accepted to export the image of a racist country to the world. I am sorry for the Spaniards who disagree but today in Brazil Spain is considered a country of racists.” Known as
“I am strong and I will do everything possible against racists. Even if it is far from here,” he said.
Infantino gave his support to Vinicius Junior.
“Full solidarity for Vinicius. Racism has no place in football or society and FIFA stands by all players who find themselves in such situations.”
“The events during the match between Valencia and Real Madrid show that this must be the case. This is why a three-stage process exists in FIFA competitions and is recommended at all levels of football.
“First of all, you stop the match, you announce it. Second, the players leave the pitch and the speaker announces that the match will be suspended if the attack continues. The match starts again, and then, thirdly, if the attacks continue, the match will stop and three points will go to the opponent.”
Infantino said steps to stop racism needed to be supported through education.
Following the incident, Vinicius Jr. received a wave of support, including from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
LaLiga has previously filed complaints of racist chanting or insults against Vinicius Júnior, the latest of which was claimed before a court in Mallorca after fans were filmed racially abusing him.
Spanish police are also investigating Vinicius Júnior for a possible hate crime after a mannequin wearing the number 20 shirt was hanged from a bridge outside Real Madrid’s training ground in January.
(with inputs from agencies)
