...By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr was once again subjected to racist abuse following his team’s 1-0 defeat against Valencia on Sunday.
In addition to the racial abuse, the winger was also sent off during the match due to an altercation with Hugo Duro.
Vinicius Jr’s Social Media Response
Expressing his disappointment, Vinicius Jr took to social media to address La Liga about their inadequate response to racism.
He wrote on his Instagram, “The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano, and Messi today belongs to racists.”
The Brazilian player criticized La Liga for normalizing racism and accused the competition, the federation, and even the opponents of encouraging it.
Vinicius Jr expressed his love for Spain as a nation but stated that it is being portrayed as a racist country to the world.
Determination to Fight Against Racism
Acknowledging the weekly occurrences of racist incidents, Vinicius Jr admitted that he had no defense but affirmed his strength and determination to stand against racists.
He stated, “Even if far from here, I will go to the end against racists.”
Real Madrid’s Strong Condemnation
Real Madrid issued a statement on Monday strongly condemning the events and supporting Vinicius Jr. The club described the incidents as a direct attack on the social and democratic model of coexistence in the state.
Real Madrid categorized the attacks as hate crimes and filed a report with the Attorney General’s Office to investigate the facts and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Support from Fellow Players
Several notable figures in the football world expressed their support for Vinicius Jr. Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe showed his support on Instagram, stating, “You’re not alone.
We are with you & we support you.”
Brazilian legend Ronaldo joined the calls for La Liga to take a stand against racism, emphasizing the need for action from referees, the federation, and authorities.
Conclusion
The incidents of racist abuse faced by Vinicius Jr highlight the persisting issue of racism in La Liga.
The support from fellow players and the strong condemnation by Real Madrid demonstrate the solidarity and determination to combat racism in football.
