Vinícius Jr.: Spanish football federation orders partial stadium ban and fine for racism suffered by Real Madrid star in Valencia game, overturns red card

CNN
—

The Spanish football federation has ordered a partial five-game stadium ban at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium following racist abuse suffered by Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. during the teams’ La Liga game on Sunday.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) also announced a fine of €45,000 (approximately $48,489) for the incident and rescinded the red card shown to Vinícius Jr. on the grounds that the referee and video assistants did not didn’t take into account the actions of two Valencia players, Hugo Duro and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

According to the match official’s report of Valencia’s 1-0 win over Madrid on Sunday, a fan had shouted ‘monkey, monkey’ at Vinícius Jr. during the second half.

Video footage of the match DAZN Spain also shows that the Real Madrid star was the victim of various other racial slurs throughout the match.

“It is considered proven, as evidenced by the official report of the referee, that there were racist chants against the Real Madrid player Vinícius, during this match, altering the normal action of the game and considered as very serious offences,” the statement said. the federation’s website on Tuesday, said.

Valencia have the right to appeal against the decision, which was issued by the competition committee of the RFEF. The section of the stadium to be closed are the southern stands, known as the Mario Kempes seating area, according to the statement.

Valencia released a statement on Tuesday saying they expressed ‘total disagreement and outrage at the unfair and disproportionate punishment’ and would fight the decision.

Cancellation of the red card means that Vinícius will be available to play in Whites’ game Wednesday at home against Rayo Vallecano. The Santiago Bernabéu faithful are expected to show their support for him in the 20th minute – the star striker wears the No.20 shirt – of the game.

Vinícius Jr’s Brazilian compatriot Raphinha, who plays for Real Madrid’s bitter rivals Barcelona, ​​showed solidarity with his compatriot in Tuesday night’s league champions game against Real Valladolid.

After being substituted off the pitch, he revealed a message on an undershirt, saying: “Until the color of a man’s skin matters more than the color of his eyes, there is will have war” in Portuguese.

Vinícius has been the victim of racist abuse from the stands on numerous occasions during La Liga matches over the past two seasons, and seven people were arrested on Tuesday in connection with incidents of racist abuse directed at the Real star Madrid this season.

Spanish police say four young men were arrested for allegedly hanging an effigy of Vinícius from a bridge in Madrid in January, while three others were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the racist slurs aimed at the Brazilian during the Sunday’s game against Valencia.

Both incidents are being treated as hate crimes.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva came to Vinícius’ defense on Monday, saying it’s “not possible that almost in the middle of the 21st century we have racial prejudices that are gaining strength in several football stadiums in Europe. .

“I think it is important that FIFA, the Spanish league and the leagues of other countries take concrete action because we cannot allow fascism and racism to dominate football stadiums,” he said. added.

Meanwhile, the lights of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue were turned off on Monday to show solidarity with Vinícius.