Vinicius Junior did not train with his Real Madrid team mates on Tuesday as he prepares for a three-match ban after being sent off against Valencia at the weekend.
The Brazilian was shown a straight red card in Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat at the Mestalla on Sunday, a match marred by racist abuse directed at him from the team’s fans.
After receiving vile taunts throughout the game, he became embroiled in a late brawl with Hugo Duro during extra time and, although it appeared to be put in lock, was eventually sent off for slapping the Valencia striker.
Vinicius, who has been racially abused by fans on several other occasions this season, was visibly upset when leaving the pitch after being targeted again, before taking to social media to blast La Liga and Spanish football authorities for failing to take action.
Vinicius also revealed that he had received “inhumane” death threats from his opponent’s fans this season while playing for Real Madrid, who opened a legal case for “hate crimes” in Mestalla. The Spanish police also announced the arrest of three “young men” for “racist behavior” that occurred in Sunday’s match.
Vinicius Junior did not train with Real Madrid on Tuesday as he prepares for a three-match ban
The Brazilian was subjected to racist abuse in Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat by Valencia on Sunday, before he was sent off for appearing to slap Hugo Duro.
He becomes embroiled in the brawl at the end of the game after being vilely abused
Although many key figures in world football have shown solidarity with Vinicius following the abuse, the winger is still expected to serve a three-match ban after being sent off at the weekend, AS reported.
As a result, he missed Madrid’s training before facing Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga on Wednesday and is likely to have played his last game of the season with only three matches to go.
After Sunday’s game, Vinicius took to Twitter to announce that Spanish football had reached a new low after having previously secured a league that was the envy of Europe.
This was not the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga.
“The competition thinks this is normal, the federation does as well and the opponents encourage it. I am very sorry.
The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to two racists. A beautiful nation that welcomed and loved me, but 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 the country of racists. Unfortunately, I have no defense for everything that happens each week. I agree. But I am strong and will go to the end against the racists. Even if it is far from here.
However, La Liga president Javier Tebas quickly gave a controversial response to Vinicius’ comments, responding by saying that the player had failed to attend multiple meetings to discuss the issue.
Vinicius took to social media after the match to declare ‘I will go to the end against the racists’
Since those who do not have to explain to you what LaLiga is and what can do in cases of racism, we have tried to explain it to you, but you did not show up on any of the agreed times that you requested yourself,” he replied.
Before criticizing and insulting LaLiga, it is necessary to tell yourself properly @Vinijr.
“Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated and make sure you fully understand each other’s competencies and the work we’ve been doing together.”
In contrast to Tebas, the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, admitted that the country had a “serious problem” with racism and was quick to call the LaLiga president “irresponsible”.
LaLiga then issued a statement on Tuesday pledging to La Liga “to demand more sanctioning powers, with the aim of being more flexible and effective in combating violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport”.
In that fight, the league claims to have “led the identification and reporting of this behavior on football grounds for years, but feels helpless watching how its reporting ends up.”
