Real Madrid has reported the most recent case of racist abuse directed at their forward, Vinicius Jr, to the Spanish prosecutor’s office, categorizing it as a hate crime.
Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Valencia on Sunday faced a temporary pause in the second half when an outraged Vinicius Jr reported opposing fans to the referee.
After the match, during which the 22-year-old Brazilian player was subsequently red-carded for violent behavior, he expressed, “La Liga belongs to racists.”
On Monday, Real Madrid released a statement affirming that such incidents should be regarded as hate crimes. The Spanish prosecutors will now determine whether to initiate a criminal investigation.
The club expressed its utmost repugnance and condemned the incidents against Vinicius Junior, stating, “These acts directly undermine the coexistence principles of our society and the democratic rule of law.”
Throughout the season, Vinicius has been subjected to racist abuse multiple times.
La Liga issued a statement declaring its intention to conduct an investigation and pursue “necessary legal measures” in the event of identifying a hate crime. They urged individuals to provide any relevant video evidence.
Valencia reported that the police had already identified a supporter who exhibited racist gestures, and the club is collaborating with the authorities to verify the identities of any other possible culprits.
Valencia CF also disclosed that they had initiated disciplinary proceedings, intending to impose the most severe penalties, including a lifetime ban from the stadium for the implicated fans.
The club emphasized their close cooperation with the authorities throughout the process.
