Spain opens investigation into racist abuse of Vinicius
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Shouts of "monkey" had been directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during their 1-0 loss at Valencia on Sunday.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MADRID – Spanish prosecutors have opened an investigation into the racist abuse hurled at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior,
The 22-year-old Brazilian international has often been targeted by opposition fans in Spain’s La Liga and was once more abused in a 1-0 loss at Valencia on Sunday.
The game was held up for several minutes and the referee wrote in his post-match report that shouts of “monkey” had been directed at Vinicius.
According to a judicial source, the prosecutor’s office in Valencia is investigating a possible hate crime.
Real said earlier they had filed a complaint “in order that the facts be investigated and those responsible be held accountable”. The club said the chants “constitute a hate crime”.
Brazil also formally protested to the Spanish ambassador and will lodge an official complaint with authorities in Madrid.
There is growing anger in Brazil, where the lights of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro were turned off for one hour in solidarity with the player.
“Black and imposing. But I want, above all, to inspire and bring more light to our fight,” Vinicius tweeted of the darkened statue, thanking followers for their support.
Vinicius has been racially abused at several stadiums this season in Spain. On one occasion, an effigy of him was hung from a bridge
It was reported on Tuesday that seven people linked to the two incidents have been arrested.
During the Valencia match, he stood in front of home fans behind one goal post and pointed to an apparent culprit. Play was delayed for several minutes in the second half. Three people have since been detained by police after the game, reported Reuters on Tuesday.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea spoke to stadium officials, who made an announcement calling for racist insults to stop before play resumed 10 minutes later.
The Spanish government’s sports council is analysing crowd images to root out the fan or fans responsible. The body has, in similar incidents in the past, proposed a one-year stadium ban and fine of €4,000 (S$5,808) for those found guilty.
On a day of recriminations and soul-searching, Spain’s football federation head admitted the country had a “problem” with racism. Luis Rubiales said: “As long as there is just one fan, a single undesirable, or group of undesirables who hurl insults over someone’s sexual orientation, or skin colour, we have a serious problem.”
But Real heavily criticised Rubiales, saying his refusal to ensure Fifa protocols – suggesting matches should be halted when racist abuse is heard – are upheld in Spain is exacerbating the problem.
La Liga, meanwhile, had argued that it has been “proactive” in previous cases of racism against Vinicius.
President Javier Tebas tweeted in response to the player: “We have tried to explain to you what La Liga is and what it can do in cases of racism, but you have not shown up to either of the two agreed dates that you yourself requested. Before criticising and insulting La Liga, you need to inform yourself properly Vinicius.”
To make matters worse, Vinicius was sent off in added time at the end for hitting Valencia’s Hugo Duro. After the match, he issued a strongly worded statement saying: “Today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.
“The league that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Lionel) Messi now belongs to racists. Racism is normal in La Liga.
“The competition thinks it’s normal, the federation does too and the opponents encourage it.”
World football and beyond have rallied around Vinicius and demanded action.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva condemned the abuse, saying: “He was attacked. He was called a monkey.”
He also called for the Spanish league to take “serious measures”.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti reiterated that Spanish football needed to be prepared to halt matches.
“The Spanish league has a problem, and Vinicius is not the problem. Vinicius is the victim,” he said.
“What has happened today has happened before, but not like that. It’s unacceptable.”
Fifa said that stopping matches is permitted as well as players walking off the pitch in their three-step approach when racist abuse takes place.
“Full solidarity with Vinicius,” Fifa president Gianni Infantino said. AFP, REUTERS
