Seven arrested following racist abuse of Vinicius Junior during La Liga match between Real Madrid and Valencia
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/05/2023 at 21:37 GMT
Spanish police have made seven arrests in connection to racist abuse directed at Vinicius Junior. The game between Real Madrid and Valencia was stopped for 10 minutes in the second half after Vinicius pointed out fans in the crowd to the referee. Vinicius said after the incident in a statement that “racism is normal in La Liga”, adding that the league “belongs to racists”.
Ancelotti blasts La Liga's 'racism problem' after Vinicius abuse from fans
Seven people have been arrested in separate incidents in Spain in connection with racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.
The latest incident happened during Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat to Valencia on Sunday, during which the Brazilian winger was sent off.
The game was halted for 10 minutes in the second half after Vinicius reported fans to the referee.
"Police have arrested today in Valencia three young people for the racist behaviour that occurred last Sunday in the Valencia-Real Madrid match," read a statement from Spanish police.
Four further individuals were detained on suspicion of hanging an effigy of Vinicius from a Madrid bridge in January. It was hung before the Madrid derby Copa del Rey clash between Real and city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Vinicius said on Monday that “racism is normal in La Liga”, adding the league “belongs to racists” after the incident.
“It wasn't the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga,” Vinicius wrote on social media.
“The competition thinks it's normal, the [Spanish Football] Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I'm so sorry.
“The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] 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.
“Unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defence. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here.”
La Liga president Javier Tebas issued a response to Vinicius on social media, writing: “Since those who should explain to you what it is La Liga can and cannot do in cases of racism, we have tried to explain it to you, but you have not shown up for either of the two agreed dates that you requested yourself."
La Liga released a statement on Tuesday, saying it has asked for more powers to punish incidents of racism.
"La Liga will request more sanctioning powers, with the aim of being more agile and effective in the fight against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport, where La Liga has been leading the identification and reporting of such behaviour in football stadiums for years, but feels powerless when observing how its reporting ends," read the statement.
"Despite its intense and continuous fight against violence and racism to the full extent of its powers (currently, according to Spanish legislation, limited to identifying and reporting the facts that occur),
"La Liga feels tremendous frustration at the lack of sanctions and convictions by the sports disciplinary bodies, public administrations and jurisdictional bodies to which it reports."
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