Global Courant 2023-05-22 21:55:44
Vinicius said “Spain is known as a country of racists” after insulting chants were directed at him in Valencia
The latest incident of racial abuse towards Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr. has been reported to the Spanish prosecutor’s office as a hate crime, the club says.
After the match, in which the 22-year-old Brazil international was later sent off for violent conduct, he said: “La Liga belongs to racists”.
Real Madrid issued a statement on Monday saying it “believes that such attacks also constitute a hate crime”.
Spanish prosecutors will now decide whether to launch a criminal investigation.
“Real Madrid shows its deepest disgust and condemns the events that took place yesterday against our player Vinicius Junior,” the club said.
“These facts are a direct attack on the coexistence model of our social and democratic constitutional state.”
Vinicius has been the target of racial abuse several times this season.
La Liga said in a statement it would investigate and take “appropriate legal action” if a hate crime was identified, and called on people to submit relevant images.
Valencia said Police had “identified a fan making racist gestures” and that the “club is also cooperating with police to confirm the identities of other potential offenders”.
The club added: “Valencia CF has proceeded to open a disciplinary case, will apply the maximum severity, including a lifetime stadium ban for the fans involved, and is working closely with the authorities.”
Vinicius and Tebas Twitter feud
Vinicius wrote on social media after the match: “The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists.”
He then exchanged messages with La Liga president Javier Tebas.
Tebas wrote on Twitter that Vinicius twice failed to show up for a meeting to discuss what it “can do in cases of racism”.
“Before criticizing and slandering La Liga, educate yourself,” said Tebas.
Vinicius criticized the post for targeting him rather than the “racists”, saying he wanted La Liga to take “actions and punishments”.
Tebas then replied: “Neither Spain nor La Liga are racist, it is very unfair to say that.
“We have reported nine cases of racial slurs this season (eight against Vinicius). We always identify the villains responsible and take the complaints all the way to the relevant agencies that have the power to punish them. As few as they are, our efforts are ruthless.”
“We cannot allow the reputation of a league, which is above all a symbol of unity between communities, where more than 200 black players from 42 clubs are welcomed every week with the respect and love of fans, to be tarnished.
“Instances of racism are an extremely rare event (nine reports) that we want to eliminate completely.”
Reactions Tebas called ‘irresponsible behavior’
However, Luis Rubialespresident of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has invited his Brazilian counterpart Ednaldo Rodrigues to visit the RFEF and asked him to “ignore the irresponsible behavior of the La Liga president”.
Rubiales said, “we have a serious behavioral problem; of education, of racism” which “requires a strong response from the federation, but they have to let us apply it and so far that has not been the case”.
He added: “The goal we have set for ourselves is that as soon as possible those who have suffered (racist abuse) at some point can say that it is not a problem in Spain.”
Piara Povarexecutive director of European anti-discrimination organization ‘Fare’, told the BBC they had recorded 11 cases of racism in stadiums this season and that Spanish football is “now in crisis”.
“Apparently none of the authorities understand how to respond,” he added. “There has been no coordinated approach to these issues.
“La Liga’s statement by Tebas is the kind of discourse we’ve seen in the Spanish media, where people blame the victim, the player himself. It’s hard to fathom.”
“The regulations are confused. No one really knows whether the Spanish FA should take action or the government. There is a lack of accountability and there is no single organization coming forward and saying ‘we will take responsibility for this and take action until we start to see some change.
“There will be a critical moment where the league will lose players (due to racist abuse), just as Spain’s proposed World Cup bid (for 2030) will be seen as a weak bid because of what is going on in football in that country. .”
The racist abuse that Vinicius has faced this season
September 2022 – Some Atletico Madrid fans chanted racist songs against Vinicius outside their Wanda Metropolitano stadium before Real Madrid played them in September 2022. Atletico Madrid later condemned “unacceptable” chants by a “minority” of fansSeptember 2022 – Some pundits in Spain have criticized Vinicius’ goal celebration, in which he dances at the corner flag. He responds saying “the happiness of a black Brazilian in Europe” is behind the criticismDecember 2022 – Vinicius appeared to be subject to racist abuse at Valladolid as he walked past fans after being substituted. La Liga said it has filed suit regarding the racist abuse of Vinicius to the “relevant judicial, administrative and sporting authorities”January 2023 – An effigy of the Real Madrid winger was hung from a bridge near the club’s training ground before a match against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Atletico called the incident “abhorrent”February 2023 – Mallorca fans were filmed allegedly racially insulting the Brazilian during a match against RealMarch 2023 – La Liga said that “unacceptable racist behavior was again observed against Vinicius” in a match against Barcelona and had reported the racist slurs to the Barcelona Court of InstructionMay 2023 – Vinicius suffers racist abuse against Valencia
