May 23, (THEWILL) – Spanish authorities have taken action following two incidents of racial abuse targeting Brazilian football star, Vinicius Junior, who plays for Real Madrid.
The incidents occurred during Sunday’s match against Valencia, where the 22-year-old forward was subjected to racist taunts and subsequently sent off.
While Vinicius has faced opposition fans’ taunts since joining Real in 2018, this latest incident has sparked a heated debate about Spain’s efforts to combat racism in football.
At the Sunday match, the referee reported that chants of “monkey” were directed at Vinicius, leading to a temporary suspension of the match.
Valencia Football Club has condemned the incident, stating its strongest stance against racism and violence. The club has taken immediate action by banning the individuals involved from its stadium for life.
Police in Valencia have confirmed the arrest of three youths for racially offensive insults and gestures directed towards the player during the match. The investigation remains ongoing to identify any additional suspects.
In a separate incident, Madrid police have arrested four men suspected of hanging an effigy wearing a Real Madrid shirt with Vinicius’ number from a bridge back in January. The effigy was displayed alongside a banner in Atletico Madrid’s colours, stating “Madrid hates Real.”
The Spanish Government has welcomed these arrests, emphasising its zero tolerance for racism in sports.
The incidents involving Vinicius have not only stirred widespread condemnation but have also ignited anger in Brazil. In a show of solidarity, the lights on Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue were switched off for one hour. The Brazilian community’s response reflects the growing concern over racial abuse in football and calls for stronger measures to eliminate such behaviour.
Spanish Government Spokeswoman, Isabel Rodriquez, stressed that Spain unequivocally denounces and combats racism, affirming the nation’s commitment to eradicating these behaviours.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
