La Liga has said that it will take action if any criminal activity is discovered, but its president also criticised the players’ response.
Valencia announced Monday, that police have identified a fan making racist gestures. They are using video footage to identify other fans.
The club said that this behavior has no place in society or football. It also added that the responsible parties would receive a lifetime ban.
Vinicius, a teenage prodigy who moved to Spain five years ago as a teenager, has been subjected to racist abuse.
It was not the first, second or third time. Vinicius tweeted after the match: “Racism is normal in La Liga.”
He contrasted his abuse with the skills of other famous players who have graced La Liga in the past, such as Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo from Brazil, and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal.
He said that the league, which once belonged them, “now belongs to racism.” “But I am strong and will fight to the end against racists,” he said. Even if you’re far away.”
He called Spain “a beautiful country, which welcomed and loved me, but accepted to export the image to the world of a racist nation.” I’m sorry to those Spaniards that disagree, but in Brazil, Spain has become known as a racist country.
Vinicius reacted to the abuse from the crowd on Sunday, confronting fans while players from both teams sought to restore calm.
Alberto Saiz / AP
Lula, the Brazilian president, also known as Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, jumped to the support of the player.
“I want to show my solidarity with the Brazilian player. He is a boy who has achieved in life, and could be one of the greatest players in the World, or at least the best in Real Madrid. “He is attacked in each stadium where he plays,” he said to reporters during a press conference held at the G-7 Summit in Japan on Sunday.
Lula said that he hoped soccer’s governing body “takes measures so we do not allow racism and fascism” to take over.
Brazil’s other officials and players have also spoken out against abuse.
Carlo Ancelotti said in an interview with reporters after the game that he wouldn’t discuss what happened on the pitch. He said that what he saw was unacceptable, with an entire stadium chanting racial slurs.
Luis Rubiales is the head of Spanish soccer’s governing body RFEF. He said that he agrees with Vinicius, that there is a racism problem in Spain.
Vinícius Jr. during Sunday’s game at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium.
Alberto Saiz / AP
Not everyone was as supportive.
Javier Tebas, the league’s president, wrote on Twitter: “Before criticising and slandering La Liga you should inform yourself properly.
He said the player had attacked the league, without understanding the work it was doing to combat racism. And he claimed that Vinicius had not attended two meetings with officials of the league to discuss this matter.
Nine formal complaints were made by the league against Vinicius in the last two years. Many of these cases have been dropped. After allegedly insulting the Brazilian player during a match, a Mallorca fan could end up in court.
A mannequin in Vinicius’ number 20, hung outside Real Madrid’s Training Facility ahead of an important game against Atletico Madrid, was displayed on a bridge. At the time , the police reported that they were investigating the matter.
Vinicius José Paixao De Oliveira Jr., the Brazilian’s full name, is one of the brightest soccer talents in the world. He is known for his ball control and dazzling tricks. In 54 games, he’s scored 23 goals despite his team’s disappointing season.
In recent years, racism against Black players in Europe has been widely reported.
The England men’s national soccer team decided to leave the field in the case of racism. This included several young Black players.
England made the same mistake when playing Bulgaria back in 2019. However, its own fans have also been called out for abusing English players racially after their team’s loss in the final of the European Championships in 2020.
Contributed by Associated Press
