Real Madrid and Brazil forward, Vinicius Junior, has stated that La Liga belongs to racists. He made this statement after he was subjected to racist chants at Valencia.
The 22-year-old Brazil international was sent off for violent conduct in the 97th minute of the 1-0 La Liga defeat after he had an altercation with Hugo Duro.
Earlier in the game, the footballer attempted to bring Valencia fans to the referee’s attention.
After the game, he took to Instagram and wrote: “The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists.
“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.
“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.”
While reacting to the incident, La Liga said in a statement that it would investigate and take “appropriate legal action” if a hate crime is identified, calling on fans to submit any relevant footage.
La Liga president Javier Tebas said Vinicius did not turn up for a meeting twice to discuss what it “can do in cases of racism”.
Tebas said: “Before you criticise and slander La Liga you need to inform yourself properly.”
The president’s statement has been criticized by Vinicius for targeting him instead of the “racists.” He insisted he wants La Liga to take “actions and punishments”.
‘An entire stadium chanting racist slurs’
Vinicius has been racially abused several times this season.
The game was put on hold in the 70th minute as Vinicius attempted to point out fans in the crowd whom he believed were abusing him.
He was moved away by team-mates and Valencia players, before referee Ricardo de Burgos and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke to him.
Vinicius was later red carded for the first time in La Liga for his involvement in a mass altercation between the two sets of players.
Coach 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.
“I asked him if he wanted to keep playing, and he stayed in the game.
“Vinicius is very sad; he is angry. Something like this can’t happen in the world we live in.”
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