REAL Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has declared that “racism is normal in La Liga” after he was subjected to racist chants by opposition fans last night.
The Brazilian was eventually sent off for lashing out at a Valencia player in the added time of Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat.
Vinicius Jr was targeted by vile chants from sections of the crowd at the Mestalla Stadium during the La Liga encounter, and he said in a statement afterwards that the Spanish league “belongs to racists”.
It was not the first time the Brazil international has been the victim of racist abuse, but La Liga authorities have not done enough to prevent reoccurrences.
The match last night was stopped in the second half for 10 minutes as the agitated 22-year-old grabbed the referee and pointed toward fans who had racially abused him.
Vinicius Jr was later sent off for violent conduct in added time following an altercation with striker Hugo Duro.
The Valencia player had held Vinicius in a choke hold for about 10 seconds before the Real Madrid star swung an arm to push him off.
“It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga,” he wrote on Twitter afterwards.
“In football they think it’s normal, the federation does too — and the opponent encourages it. I’m so sad. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists.
“A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world. I’m sorry for the Spaniards who don’t agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.
“And unfortunately, for something that happens each week, I have no defence. I let it happen. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if it is far from here.”
La Liga has said the league body will investigate the incident, examining all available images.
“If any hate crime is identified, we will take the appropriate legal action,” the league said in a statement.
The Spanish league has previously lodged complaints of racist chanting or insults against Vinicius Jr, the latest of which was a claim before a court in Mallorca after fans were filmed racially abusing the forward, Sky Sports reported.
Spanish police are also investigating a possible hate crime against Vinicius Jr after a mannequin wearing his number 20 shirt was hung from a bridge outside Real Madrid’s training ground in January.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti backed his distraught player, insisting that drastic action should have been taken by the officials.
Ancelotti said the racist abuse aimed at Vinicius Jr was unacceptable and told the referee that the game should have been stopped.
“What we saw today is unacceptable. An entire stadium chanting racist slurs,” the Italian said.
