Mestalla wrote another chapter in the list of racist episodes this season, again with Vinicius Júnior in the eye of the hurricane. The Brazilian winger saw the red in the long extension time after a series of incidents that began with the alleged racist insult from the stands and that the Real Madrid player managed to locate.
The expulsion of the Valencian fan by the National Police was the trigger for the events: the stadium ignited and ended up taking it with the Brazilian, who ended up attacking Hugo Duro in a brawl, in which Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea resolved by showing the red to the madridista after going to the VAR. “The prize that the racists have won was my expulsion. It’s not football, it’s LaLiga”posted the ex of Flamengo through a story through his official Instagram account, pointing, as Carlo Ancelotti later did, to the body chaired by Javier Tebas. After that, Vinicius left gesturing with the relegation of Valencia to Second.
Double statement from Vinicius
Minutes after the first publication, Vinicius turned to social networks again to expand his harsh message of condemnation and called LaLiga racist: “It was not the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in LaLiga. The competition believes that it is normal, the Federation also and the opponents encourage it. I’m sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi, today belongs to racists. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and the one I love, but which agreed to export to the world the image of a racist country. I feel sorry for the Spaniards who disagree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. And unfortunately, for everything that happens every week, I have no defense. I agree. But I am strong and I will go the distance against racists. Even if it’s far from here.”
Ancelotti also signed up for the use of social networks to maintain the speech he gave at the press conference after the match: “Today was a sad day at Mestalla, where a group of fans showed their worst version. It is time to stop talking and act forcefully. Racism cannot have a place in football or in society. NO TO RACISM ANYWHERE”. Rudiger also took advantage of social networks to send a message of support to his partner: “2023 and still… embarrassing… We are with you Vini”.
After the meeting, both Valencia, through a statement, and the captain of the Che team, José Luis Gayá, condemned the racist insults uttered from the Mestalla stands against Vinicius. The Valencian defender did not go around with hot cloths and harshly criticized the insults: “We condemn it and that is what the cameras are for. If it is clear who it was, for me it does not have to enter a football field anymore. Racist insults don’t make any sense.”
LaLiga, for its part, has announced that it has already taken measures. He has requested the images available at the stadium to investigate what happened and in case of detecting a hate crime, as Vinicius denounces, they will proceed to take the appropriate legal actions. In addition, he will also investigate the images in which racist insults were allegedly directed towards Vinicius Jr. outside the Mestalla stadium. And they add from the employers: “LaLiga has been proactive in the face of all racist incidents against Vinicius Jr. Thus, LaLiga has filed a complaint nine times in the last two seasons with the RFEF Competition Committee, State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport, the Hate Prosecutor’s Office and the Courts”.
LaLiga, in view of this event, requests collaboration to “accelerate the identification of any person or group of people who manifest racist behavior in any stadium or outside it” and remember that the StopRacismo@laliga.es email is enabled for this
The RFEF calls for forceful measures
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was pronounced after the racist insults received by Vinicius Júnior in Mestalla. He demands “stronger measures immediately.”
“About the events that took place this afternoon in Mestalla”:
The Federation is dismayed by what happened and understands that these attitudes must be eradicated. For this reason, it urges that they be activated urgently the protocols so that the most forceful measures are adopted immediately. Both the committee and the State Commission against violence and xenophobia and racism in sport should take action on the matter, even closing the stands every time this happens and stadiums when it is due to recidivism.
“The RFEF urges the clubs to collaborate in the immediate eradication of these unfortunate events respecting the rules and sports sanctions and not delaying them with artificial judicial resources”.
Touch of the CBF to LaLiga
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), on behalf of its president, Ednaldo Rodrigues, also appeared in the case, supporting Vinicius Júnior and highlighting what he calls a “global disease”.
“How long are we going to live, in the 21st century, episodes like the one we have just witnessed, once again, in LaLiga? How long will humanity continue to be a spectator and complicit in cruel acts of racism? How long do we need to remember that it’s a crime? How long are we going to have to fight for concrete and effective attitudes on and off the pitches? There is no joy where there is racism. You have all our love and that of all Brazilians, Vinicius. Not only you, but all those who have suffered and are suffering from this global disease that is racism. The color of the skin can no longer bother ”, reads the text published on his official Twitter account.
Full text of the Valencia statement
Valencia CF wishes to publicly condemn any type of insult, attack or disqualification in football.
The Club, in its commitment to the values of respect and sport, publicly reaffirms its position against physical and verbal violence in stadiums and regrets the events that occurred during the LaLiga Matchday 35 match against Real Madrid.
Although this is an isolated episode, insults to any player from the rival team have no place in football and do not fit in with the values and identity of Valencia CF. The Club is investigating what happened and will take the most severe measures. In the same way, Valencia CF condemns any offense and also requests the utmost respect for our fans.
Apart from these isolated incidents, Valencia CF would like to thank the more than 46,000 fans for their assistance and support for the team in the game this Sunday, May 21.
