LaLiga, Spain’s top football league, is set to take legal action and file a complaint in a Spanish court following the alleged racist chanting directed towards Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior by a group of Atlético Madrid supporters. The incident occurred prior to the Copa del Rey round-of-16 derby match between the two clubs, which Atlético ultimately won 4-2. The offensive chants, with fans calling Vinícius a monkey, were audible as spectators entered Atlético’s Metropolitano stadium.
In light of this incident, LaLiga has confirmed its intention to report the case to prosecutors. As a part of their ongoing commitment to combating racism within football, LaLiga aims to ensure that appropriate action is taken against those responsible for such acts of discrimination. ESPN reached out to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for a comment, and they highlighted that the country’s anti-violence commission should be responsible for addressing cases like this.
Player and Club Silence
Neither Vinícius Júnior nor his club, Real Madrid, have issued any public statements regarding this particular episode of racial abuse. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident for Vinícius. The young Brazilian has been subjected to racist abuse multiple times since moving to Spain five years ago, highlighting a broader issue of racial prejudice within Spanish football.
Last season, during a match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Mestalla, play was halted in the second half due to Vinícius Júnior identifying a fan behind the Valencia goal who was racially abusing him. This prompted the player to speak out about the prevalence of racism in LaLiga, emphasizing that it has become a normalized occurrence. Vinícius further claimed that in Brazil, Spain is known as a country with a racist reputation.
Efforts from Brazil and the CBF
Following a separate incident where a mannequin wearing a Vinícius shirt was hung from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground, Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) and the country’s government urged Spanish authorities to take action against these racist attacks. LaLiga has made previous complaints about racist insults and chants against Vinícius, although some of them have been dismissed by prosecutors. In October, LaLiga introduced a system to monitor hate speech on social media platforms as part of their wider fight against racism.
The incident involving racist chanting directed towards Vinícius Júnior serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of racism in football, not only in Spain but around the world. LaLiga’s decision to file a legal complaint demonstrates their commitment in the fight against discrimination. It is imperative that the necessary measures are put in place to hold individuals accountable for their actions, and that fans, clubs, and football governing bodies work together to eradicate racism from the beautiful game.