What happened to Vinicius Jr? Real Madrid winger racially abused ...

Vinicius Jr was again the subject of racist abuse in the 1-0 loss to Valencia on Sunday, with the Real Madrid winger also sent off.

Valencia secured a 1-0 home victory over Madrid as they took a huge step towards La Liga safety, but the match itself was overshadowed by vile chants aimed at Vinicius — and it is far from the first time it has happened.

This time, those involved said they felt as if it came from a larger portion of the home fans than previously, suggesting the problem is getting worse.

Both Vinicius and Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti implored La Liga to take meaningful action and begin seriously cracking down on the hostile environment that the Brazilian winger continues to endure in Spain.

Vinicius Jr racially abused at Valencia, sent off on VAR review

In the 70th minute of the La Liga match between Valencia and Real Madrid, the referee halted play, with Vinicius Jr having called the official over and pointed to the stands at Mestalla Stadium.

Vinicius then approached the area where he was pointing and began angrily conversing with the Valencia fans in the area, pointing and yelling at them while they chanted and waved banners back at him. Players from both teams followed, and his Real Madrid colleagues joined Vinicius in yelling at the fans. Valencia players, meanwhile, attempted to gain control of the situation.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti was seen discussing the situation with Vinicius, and the boss confirmed after the match that he had to convince the Brazilian to continue playing, as he had wanted to leave the match.

After a delay of approximately 10 minutes, the match continued. Then, seven minutes into stoppage time, the players on the pitch were involved in an altercation, with pushing and shoving ensuing.

After tempers were calmed, referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea went to the pitch-side monitor to sort out punishment for those involved. Replays showed that Vinicius and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili were two of the most significant protagonists, along with Valencia substitute Hugo Duro, who had only just come onto the pitch.

Mamardashvili put Vinicius into what amounted to a headlock, while Vinicius pushed Duro in the face. Both Vinicius and Mamardashvili were initially shown yellow cards, but after conferring with the monitor, the referee changed his decision to show Vinicius a straight red card, the first of his career, while Mamardashvili's punishment remained the same.

As Vinicius walked off, he held up two fingers to the Valencia fans, which likely indicated the second division, taunting them for their relegation battle this season. This angered Valencia players on the bench, and some charged Vinicius, causing further delay.

"What we saw today is unacceptable," said Ancelotti after the match. "An entire stadium chanting racist slurs."

Carlo Ancelotti angrily defends Vinicius Jr after racial abuse

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was vehement in his post-match press conference, refusing to discuss the game or any sporting topics, and instead addressing the racist abuse that his player faced, not for the first time.

"I don't want to talk about football today, there is no meaning in talking about football today," the Italian said. "I told the referee he should have stopped the match.

"It's the entire stadium that is insulting a player with racist chants and the match has to stop. I would say the same if we were winning 3-0; there is no other way."

Ancelotti said the blame lays with the Spanish league, and not with his player, and criticised the official for not stopping the game altogether. "We have a problem, he does not have a problem," Ancelotti said. "For me Vinicius is the greatest player in the world, the strongest. La Liga has a problem. With this racism, for me they have to stop the game. There is no other way."

Ancelotti was challenged by a reporter who questioned the intent of the fans, instead suggesting that the Real Madrid players misheard the insults which were instead something far less harmful.

After it was suggested that the word being chanted translated into English as "stupid" instead of the racial attack "monkey," Ancelotti laughed, and said, "You think [the referee] has stopped the game because they called him 'stupid'? No, I don't think so." The journalist pressed further, and Ancelotti repeated, "The truth is that the referee has stopped the game to open the racism protocol."

Ancelotti rejects a journalist claim (also stated by Valencia director Javier Solis) that Valencia fans chanted 'tonto/silly' as Vinicius and NOT 'mono/monkey' pic.twitter.com/RzAREVbe0p

— Football España (@footballespana_) May 21, 2023

Ancelotti then took to social media, saying: "Today has been a sad day at Mestalla, where a group of fans have shown 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."

Hoy ha sido un día triste en Mestalla, donde un grupo de aficionados ha mostrado su peor versión. Es hora de dejar de hablar y actuar con contundencia. El racismo no puede tener cabida ni en el fútbol ni en la sociedad. NO AL RACISMO EN NINGÚN SITIO. pic.twitter.com/4eZO8uSYQA

— Carlo Ancelotti (@MrAncelotti) May 21, 2023 Vinicius Jr says La Liga "belongs to racists," calls abuse "normal"

After the match, Vinicius took to social media to express his increased frustration at being subjected to racial abuse on a repeated basis.

Vinicius has been subjected to racial abuse five times this season, both on the pitch against clubs like Valencia, Barcelona, Mallorca, and Atletico Madrid, as well as outside the stadium. An effigy was hung from a highway bridge near Real Madrid's training ground prior to the match against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey in late January.

"It wasn't the first time, nor the second, nor the third," Vinicius wrote on multiple social media platforms. "Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it's normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it.

"I'm so sorry. 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 everything that happens each week, I have no defense. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here."

Não foi a primeira vez, nem a segunda e nem a terceira. O racismo é o normal na La Liga. A competição acha normal, a Federação também e os adversários incentivam. Lamento muito. O campeonato que já foi de Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano e Messi hoje é dos racistas. Uma nação…

— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) May 21, 2023

Vinicius has faced this kind of abuse from all sides throughout his time in Spain. He's even seen it from players at times, which has made playing and focusing on football difficult amidst a torrent of abuse. The media in Spain has often subtly normalised the behaviour as well, which is often only brought to light on a global scale.

La Liga to investigate racial abuse of Vinicius Jr

La Liga confirmed it will "investigate the images in which racist insults were allegedly directed towards Vinicius Jr at the Mestalla Stadium".

The league has vowed to take "appropriate legal action".

“In view of the incidents that occurred during the Valencia CF – Real Madrid CF match at the Mestalla Stadium, La Liga informs that it has requested all available images to investigate what happened," the league statement read. "Once the investigation has been completed, if any hate crime is detected, La Liga will proceed to take the appropriate legal action."

Valencia, meanwhile, released a statement that referred to the racial abuse as an "isolated incident".

"Valencia CF wish to publicly condemn insults and attacks of all kinds in football," the statement read. "Although this is an isolated episode, insults to any opposing player have no place in football and do not fit with the values and identity of Valencia CF. The club are investigating what occurred and will take the most severe measures against the perpetrators.

“Valencia CF also condemn any offence and request the utmost respect for our fans. Whilst strongly denouncing these isolated incidents, Valencia CF would like to thank the more than 46,000 fans in attendance for their support for the team.”

La Liga president Javier Tebas responds to Vinicius 

La Liga president Javier Tebas bizarrely appeared to deflect blame back towards Vinicius in response to the Brazilian's social media post.

"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," he wrote.

"Don’t let yourself be manipulated and make sure you understand the work we have been doing together."

Vinicus then hit back at Tebas on Twitter, posting: "Once again, instead of criticising racists, the president of LaLiga appears on social media to attack me. 

"No matter how much you talk and pretend not to read, the image of your league is shaken. Look at the responses to his posts and be in for a surprise...

"Omitting yourself only makes you equal to racists. I am not your friend to talk to about racism. I want action and punishment. Hashtag does not move me."

In a separate tweet, Tebas claimed "neither Spain nor La Liga are racist" as he insisted his organisation are "relentless" in attempting to tackle the problem.

— Javier Tebas Medrano (@Tebasjavier) May 22, 2023 Vinicius Jr could leave Real Madrid due to racial abuse

According to a bombshell report by Dermot Corrigan and Mario Cortegana of The Athletic on May 22, Vinicius Jr is "contemplating" a departure from not just Real Madrid, but Spain altogether, due to racial abuse.

Following Vinicius Jr's social media post stating that he "will go all the way against racists, even if its far from here," The Athletic asked "sources from Vinicius Jr's entourage" if that "meant he was contemplating an exit from La Liga and Real Madrid."

The report states that one source replied saying, “Yes. When you have to fight on your own…” Another source replied, "Until today there was no chance. From today, yes."

Obviously this does not mean any decision has been made, or is even on the horizon, but it previously felt impossible that Vinicius, who is slowly being considered amongst the world's best players, could leave the club he joined in 2018 at just 17 years old. Now, as he feels more and more on an island with regards to fostering a safe workplace environment, he could seek out a new workplace altogether.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) May 22, 2023 Real Madrid pursue legal action

On May 22, the club put out a brief statement on their website confirming they are pursuing legal action on the basis of a "hate crime" being allegedly committed towards their player.

"Real Madrid C.F. shows its strongest rejection and condemns the events that occurred yesterday against our player Vinícius Junior," the club said in a statement on its website.
 
"These facts constitute a direct attack on the coexistence model of our social and democratic State of law.
 
"Real Madrid considers that such attacks also constitute a hate crime, for which reason it has filed the corresponding complaint with the State Attorney General's Office, specifically with the Prosecutor's Office against hate crimes and discrimination, so that the facts can be investigated and clear responsibilities.
 
"Article 124 of the Spanish Constitution establishes the functions of the Public Prosecutor's Office to promote the action of justice in defense of legality and the rights of citizens and the public interest.
 
"For this reason, and given the seriousness of the events that occurred, Real Madrid has turned to the State Attorney General's Office, without prejudice to its appearance as a private prosecution in the proceedings that are being initiated."

— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) May 22, 2023

Later that day, Valencia announced they would be issuing lifetime stadium bans to any fans found guilty of racist abuse and "strongly condemned" the behaviour that has already seen police identify one culprit.

"Valencia CF have proceeded to open a disciplinary case, will apply the maximum level of severity, including a lifetime stadium ban against the fans involved, and is working closely together with the authorities," a club statement read.

"The club strongly condemn this type of behaviour, which has no place in football and society and does not correspond to the values of Valencia CF and our fans."

On May 22, Real Madrid issued a further statement thanking those who had shown support towards Vinicius in a difficult period.

Los Blancos also condoned the lack of action and support from the Spanish Football Federation.

"Real Madrid hopes that, given the seriousness of the current situation and the image that is being offered of Spanish football to the world, action will be taken forcefully and immediately by all those who have responsibility and competences to combat these scourges that are racism, xenophobia and hatred," the club added.

Rio Ferdinand, others support Vinicius, call for action from UEFA

Former England international Rio Ferdinand, now a pundit for BT Sport, came out strongly in support of Vinicius Jr and against the Spanish league, UEFA, and FIFA.

On Twitter and Facebook, Ferdinand tagged La Liga's official social media account, as well as UEFA and FIFA. In a post on Instagram which tagged multiple star players in the men's game playing around the globe, Ferdinand asked, "Who is protecting Vinicius Jr in Spain?"

"How many times do we need to see this young man subjected to this s***? I see pain, I see disgust, I see him needing help...and the authorities don't do s*** to help him."

Football's governing body FIFA's president Gianni Infantino has expressed support for Vinicius, and suggested more should have been done to stop the match if the correct protocols had been followed by the officials.

"Full solidarity to Vinicius. There is no place for racism in football or in society and FIFA stands by all players who have found themselves in such a situation," Infantino said in a statement.

"Events during the match between Valencia and Real Madrid show that this needs to be the case. That is why the three-step process exists in FIFA competitions and it is recommended at all levels of football.

"Firstly, you stop the match, you announce it. Secondly, the players leave the pitch and the speaker announces that if the attacks continue, the match will be suspended. The match restarts, and then, thirdly, if the attacks continue, the match will stop and the three points will go to the opponent."

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) May 21, 2023

Teammate Thibaut Courtois stood by Vinicius and says that if he walks off the pitch in response to the abuse he will follow him. 

"One day you have to set up a camera focusing on these people, it's crazy what these people are saying," the Belgian said. "Football has become going to the stadium to insult and not to support. 

"The referee said that they've applied the racism protocol. If Vini says he won't play anymore I'll go off with him. 

"If he wants to show him a red card later, fine, but the first one to get a red card should be Hugo Duro, who grabbed Vinicius by the neck. If he says he's going, I'm going with him, we can't tolerate this."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino released a statement supporting Vinicius in his tolerance of racial abuse, but fell short of asking for reform. Instead, he championed the three-step protocol of action that FIFA has defined for handling racial abuse in stadiums.

"Full solidarity to Vinicius," Infantino wrote in his statement. "There is no place for racism in football or in society and FIFA stands by all players who have found themselves in such a situation.

"Events during the match between Valencia and Real Madrid show that this needs to be the case. That is why the three-step process exists in FIFA competitions and it is recommended at all levels of football.

FIFPro, the global union of football players, has also released a statement in support of Vinicius, calling for reforms to the three-step protocol which has "repeatedly proven weak and ineffectual in combatting racism in stadiums."

#FIFPRO Statement: Vinicius Jr. pic.twitter.com/og4BuQfqO1

— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) May 22, 2023