Vínícius Jr suffers racist abuse in LaLiga: live reaction and updates from Valencia - Real Madrid

Ronaldo adds his voice to Vini's 'fight'

Former Brazil, PSV, Barça, Real Madrid and Inter legend and currently the owner of top flight Real Valladolid, Ronaldo Nazario added his voice in supporting compatriot Vinicius after the incidents at Mestalla.

"Enough.Vini, count on me in your fight. In our fight".

Ancelotti post game

A reminder for anyone who missed Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti post game with the Italian coach clearly annoyed about what had recently unfolded.

"I don't want to talk about football, I want to talk what happened here at Mestalla as it's more important.

Something's going wrong in this league when a stadium chants 'monkey' at a player, the game has to be stopped.

But as always nothing will happen".

Today's front cover of Valencia based sports daily Super Deporte

Apart from celebrating the fact that Valencia seem set to maintain their top flight status as the principal headline, the Valencia based sports daily Super Deporte also feature two sub headlines that have annoyed many:

"Ancelotti, don't lie"

"Vinicius, stop being provocative"

LALIGA

Vinícius Júnior may leave LaLiga and Real Madrid due to ongoing racist abuse: where could he move to?

According to ESPN Brasil, Vinícius' entourage are advising him that the best thing he could do is leave Spain and Real Madrid. What a message that would be to LaLiga...

Where could he go?

International support for Real Madrid's Vinícius

The support for Vinícius just keeps on coming. Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has spoken up on Instagram, a matter of days after a titanic battle on the field between the two in the Champions League. 

Fan identified in Vinícius racist abuse case

Valencia have revealed that they, along with local police, have identified one fan who shouted racist insults at Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior. The fan faces "the maximum level of severity" in terms of punishment, although it is not yet clear what that will be (other than a lifetime stadium ban). 

Valencia defender Diakhaby calls out own club

Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby has called on his club to come down hard on supporters who are found guilty of having directed vile abuse at Vinícius. 

"Yes, of course I support Vinícius Júnior after the racist insults he received from some supporters. And I hope my club does what is necessary to severely punish whoever committed these crimes. Saying nothing is going along with it."

The Pelé Foundation: Pelé admired Vinícius' joy and talent

There was no greater Brazilian star than Pelé, and the late great's foundation have also paid tribute to Vinícius. It turns out that O Rei was a fan. 

"Pelé always admired Vinicius for his joy and talent. In the opportunities they had to talk, the King loved the affection and respect they had for each other. On this day, we are absolutely certain that Edson would be asking us to write this, so we will do it. Vinícius Júnior, the Pelé Foundation supports you and admires your courage. Keep being a vocal advocate and never stop smiling in the face of adversity. Racism no longer has a place in the sport we love so much".

LALIGA

Real Madrid’s Vinícius racially abused: what is Gianni Infantino and FIFA’s ‘three-step’ solution?

When FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks, expect the unexpected. Expect criticism to come from somewhere, though, and that's been the case as he wades into the Vinícius controversy. 

Were his words strong enough? Is FIFA's 'three-step process' to combat racism strict enough? It's been in place since 2017 but is really coming into focus now. 

You can judge for yourselves...

Kaká: "We're with you"

Simple but effective from 2009 Ballon d'Or winner Kaká.

"We're with you, Vini Jr. No room for racism". 

Ex-Barcelona star Ronaldinho: "Being black is a source of pride"

Former Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho is another to have given Vinícius his backing via Instagram Stories:

"No type of discrimination should ever been permitted. I hope that Vinícius' case results in such voices who do so much damage to the sport are banned from stadiums. Being black is a source of pride!"

Barcelona head coach Xavi: "Matches should be stopped"

In his pre-match press conference before Barcelona face Real Valladolid on Tuesday, Xavi Hernández was also asked to give his thoughts on the incident, explaining that he thought the issue was a lack of education. 

“Yes, matches should be stopped. It is the only profession in which insults are accepted. I don’t see any baker or teacher being insulted at work. All this has to be stopped. Try insulting a building worker. I’m sure a brick will fall on your head.

"We have to condemn that and educate people. We are in an environment where we are insulted and called names. It is very difficult not to bounce back. We don’t have an educated environment in the world of football.”

Former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro: Zero tolerance

Vinícius' Brazil and former Real Madrid teammate Casemiro has shown his support for his compatriot and is the latest to call out LaLiga for not doing enough to tackle the issue. 

"I feel disappointed and ashamed to see how my teammate Vinícius Junior is repeatedly the target of racist abuse.

We cannot continue to tolerate this problem that transcends sport, affects the whole of society and goes unpunished. Public condemnation is not enough, punishment is necessary.

LaLiga must urgently take drastic measures, because these repeated incidents of racism tarnish the image not only of Spanish football, but also of all world football. And the feeling must be unanimous: zero tolerance!!!!"

LALIGA

Brazilian president Lula condemns racism, extends show of solidarity with Vinicius

The incident even provoked Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to move to show support for one of his own, speaking at the G7 summit in Hiroshima in Japan. 

“I want to begin this interview with a gesture of solidarity with a Brazilian soccer player - young, black, who plays for Real Madrid, who yesterday, in a game in the Valencia stadium, was harshly attacked, being called a monkey. It’s not possible, in the middle of the 21st century, to have such strong racial prejudice in so many soccer stadiums".

More from Lula here. 

LALIGA

Real Madrid report Vinícius racist abuse in Valencia to Attorney General’s Office

And on Monday, Real Madrid revealed that they would be taking firm action in order to ensure that the abuse wouldn't go unpunished. 

“Real Madrid C. F. strongly condemns the events that took place yesterday against our player Vinícius Junior.

These events represent a direct attack on the social and democratic model of coexistence of our State based on the rule of law.

Real Madrid believes that such attacks also constitute a hate crime, and has therefore filed the corresponding report with the Attorney General’s Office, specifically with the Prosecutor’s Office against crimes of hatred and discrimination, in order for the facts to be investigated and for those responsible to be held accountable". 

You can read the full statement in the above article. 

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez meets with VInícius

Real Madrid have posted a video on their website and social media of president Florentino Pérez meeting with Vinícius Júnior to discuss the incident and how the club were going to move forward with it. 

"The Real Madrid president had a meeting with Vinícius Junior expressing his support and affection, informing him of all the steps that are being taken in his defence and confirming that the club will go to any length in the face of such a disgusting hateful incident".

LALIGA

Real Madrid’s Vinícius and LaLiga president Javier Tebas continue Twitter spat after Valencia racism incident

There appears to have been some form of ceasefire in the Twitter back-and-forth between Vinícius and Javier Tebas for now, but here's a summary of their online spat...so far.  

Tebas: LaLiga's anti-racism efforts are relentless

Of course, Tebas wasn't done there either, claiming that LaLiga were doing everything in their power to eradicate the problem, before played the ill-advised 'other black players are shown respect' card in his latest response to the Brazilian on Monday morning. 

1. Neither Spain nor LaLiga is racist, it is unfair to say this.

2. At LaLiga, we report and go after racism in the strongest possible way within our remit.

3. We have reported nine instances of racist insults this season (eight have been against Vinícius Júnior). We always identify the thugs responsible and take the complaints all the way to the relevant bodies who have power to punish them. No matter how few they are, our efforts are relentless.

4. We cannot allow the reputation of a competition which is above all a symbol of unity between communities, where over 200 black players from 42 clubs are welcomed with respect and love from fans every week, to be tarnished. Cases of racism are an extremely rare occurrence (nine reports) which we are committed to eliminating altogether.

Vinícius: "Ignoring racism makes you the same as the racists"

Needless to say, Vinícius was far from satisfied with Tebas' response and accused the LaLiga chief of attacking the victim rather than the perpetrators.  

“Once again, instead of criticising the racists, the president of LaLiga takes to social media to attack me. No matter how much you talk and pretend not to read, it shows your competition in a bad light. Look at the responses to your posts and surprise yourself... Ignoring it only makes you the same as the racists. I am not your friend when it comes to racism. I want action and punishment. The hashtag doesn’t do it for me".

LaLiga president Javier Tebas tells Vinícius to "inform himself"

Clearly hurt by Vinícius' comments, LaLiga boss Javier Tebas responded to the Brazilian on Twitter, defending his organisation. 

"We have tried to explain to you what LaLiga 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 LaLiga, you need to inform yourself properly, Vinícius. Don’t let yourself be manipulated and make sure you understand the work we have been doing together.”

REAL MADRID

Vinícius hits out after alleged abuse: “It’s not football, it’s LaLiga”

And we didn't have to wait too long to hear from the man at the centre of the incident himself, with Vinícius taking to Twitter to fire shots at LaLiga for not doing enough to stop him from being racially abused time and time again.

"“The prize that the racists have won was my sending off. It’s not football, it’s LaLiga. It was not the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in LaLiga. The competition thinks it is normal, the federation thinks it is normal and the opponents encourage it".

What followed, was an online war of words with LaLiga president Javier Tebas, which is still ongoing. 

Valencia captain José Luis Gayà: "Don't let them back"

Speaking to Spanish broadcaster Movistar after the match, Valencia captain José Luis Gayà, who attempted to play peacemaker as Vinícius confronted a section of fans, said he wanted his club tocome down hard on fans who were found guilty of the chants. 

"We condemn all insults and that's what the cameras are there for. If it is clear who it was, I don't want him to enter a football stadium again. Racist insults don't make any sense, because we also have players of colour. It doesn't make sense, I don't understand it".

Valencia's Justin Kluivert issues apology

Vinícius also received backing from opposition players, including Justin Kluivert, who took part in a flash interview immediately after the final whistle. 

"We apologise to Vinícius Júnior on behalf of Valencia. We can't accept racist insults. I don't like to see what happened with Vinícius. That's not football": 

Real Madrid defender Eder Militão: Another sad day in Spain

Vinícius' compatriot Eder Militão also took to social media after the game, referencing the fact that his teammate had suffered at the hands of racist supporters a number of times since he moved to Spain. 

"Today was another sad day here in Spain, another day that the racists unfortunately won. It's a shame! Suffer racism, defend yourself and then get sent off trying to defend yourself! How long do we have to put up with this? I'm with you, brother! Our fight continues!"

REAL MADRID

A furious Carlo Ancelotti reacts to Vinícius incident during Real Madrid defeat

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has a platform to speak after every game and Sunday's post-match press conference was dominated by the abuse suffered by his player. And the visibly furious Italian didn't hold back, lashing out at LaLiga and offering a solution. 

"I’m calm, but what happened today shouldn’t happen. For a stadium to shout “monkey” at a player and for a coach to think about taking him off for that... There’s something wrong with this league".

More from Ancelotti here. 

There's no excuse for racist abuse

Going back to the incident, several members of the Real Madrid travelling party issued fairly immediate responses in the aftermath of the game, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

"Football has become going to the stadium to insult and not to support". 

While there is still plenty of the latter, there is without doubt far too much of the former. 

Valencia to ban racist fans for life

Before we continue with the story, Valencia have just revealed that they will issue a lifetime stadium ban for any fans who are found to be responsible for directing the racist abuse at Vinícius Júnior.

The perpetrators haven't as yet been identified, which they club is working to do. 

REAL MADRID

Vinícius identifies and confronts fan at Mestalla during Real Madrid’s defeat to Valencia

During a stoppage in play, Vinícius informed the match officials that had received racist abuse from a fan behind one of the goals, who the Brazilian identified and verbally confronted before several Real Madrid teammates and Valencia defender José Luis Gayà intervened in an attempt to calm hm down. That match was stopped for around five-and-a-half minutes because of the incident.  

Vinícius was later sent off in injury time after an altercation with opposing player Hugo Duro.

Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior suffers racist abuse in Valencia

Real Madrid were beaten 1-0 by Valencia in LaLiga on Sunday, a result and match which has been completely overshadowed by another unsavoury incident involving Los Blancos winger Vinícius Júnior. 

For the umpteenth time during his time in Spain and indeed this season, the Brazilian was the target of vile racist abuse at Mestalla, which has brought reaction from all corners of the globe in the hours since the final whistle. 

We're going to take a look at who has said what but we'll kick off with just exactly what happened, in case you missed it.