A year ago
Valencia 1-0 Real Madrid: Vinicius Junior sent off after racist chants at Mestalla
During a match between Valencia and Real Madrid, Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior was subjected to racist chants, resulting in his dismissal for violent conduct. In response to the incident, Vinicius expressed his frustration, stating that "La Liga belongs to racists" and criticizing the league, the federation, and the opponents for not taking a strong stance against racism. He apologized to Spaniards who disagree with his viewpoint but highlighted that, in Brazil, Spain is now seen as a country of racists due to such incidents.
Vinicius has faced racist abuse on multiple occasions this season in La Liga. The match was briefly halted in the second half when the Brazilian forward reacted angrily to the incident from the stands. This incident fueled his emotions, leading to his involvement in an altercation that resulted in his first-ever La Liga red card. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti strongly condemned the racist chants, stating that the game should have been stopped because of the abuse directed at Vinicius. He emphasized that La Liga has a problem with racism and called for matches to be halted in such situations, regardless of the scoreline.
Ancelotti supported Vinicius's reaction, considering it understandable given the circumstances. He expressed his sadness and anger over the incident, emphasizing that such events should not occur in the modern world. La Liga has announced that it will investigate the incident, and Valencia released a statement on their website condemning the insults and confirming their own investigation.
Valencia CF publicly condemned any form of insult or attack in football, expressing their commitment to respect and sportsmanship. The club stated that insults directed at any player from the opposing team have no place in football and go against Valencia CF's values and identity. They are conducting an investigation into the incident and pledged to take severe measures.
La Liga has stated that it will take appropriate legal action if any hate crime is identified and has urged individuals to provide relevant footage for their investigation. The league highlighted its proactive approach to previous racist abuse against Vinicius, having filed nine reports to legal authorities in Spain over the last two seasons.
The incident at Valencia's Mestalla stadium raises concerns about racism in Spanish football and the need for stronger measures to combat such behavior. It is crucial for the authorities, clubs, and fans to work together to eradicate racism from the sport and create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all players.
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