Barcelona board member attacks Real Madrid’s Vinícius during Champions League game: what did he say?

In the second half of Real Madrid’s Champions League victory in Portugal on Tuesday, Vinícius Júnior teased Braga defender Serdar Saatçi with a series of stepovers on the spot down by the touchline, an incident which led to nothing other than a throw-in for Los Blancos. However, it was enough to rile some onlookers online, including Barcelona board member Mikel Camps.

While (presumably) watching the game, Camps took to X, formerly Twitter, to lash out at the Brazilian for what some have called unsportsmanlike behaviour, a view which splits opinion in itself.

Barça borad member Mikel Camps’ post about Vinícius Júnior

“It’s not racism, he deserves a slap for being a clown and a wind-up merchant. What’s the point of these unnecessary and senseless stepovers in the middle of the field?” read the message, originally written in Catalan.

Whether it was due to the “It’s not racism but...” opening (never, ever a good start) or the realisation that his view would do nothing other cause him hassle, Camps deleted the post shortly after, although not before a host of media outlets had seen it and it had been widely commented on.

Xavi calls for “mutual respect and “even admiration” between Clásico rivals

The timing, of course, is also “unfortunate”, with the first Clásico of the season between Barcelona and Real Madrid taking place on Saturday (28 October). Vinícus’ teammate and compatriot Rodrygo was asked about Camps’ message after Tuesday’s game in Portugal, calling it “pathetic”.

In his pre-match press conference before Barcelona’s Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, head coach Xavi Hernández called for their to be “mutual respect and even admiration” between his club and their Clásico rivals. Camps, we can only assume, wasn’t listening.