Real Madrid filed a criminal complaint Monday with Spanish prosecutors over the racist abuse its Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior received during a weekend LaLiga match, calling it a "hate crime".
The 22-year old Brazilian international forward was targeted by a home supporter during the 1-0 defeat at Valencia Sunday and was later sent off.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said he heard monkey chants near the start of the game, while Los Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti said there was "a racist atmosphere" at Mestalla@realmadriden @realmadrid @LaLiga #racism @FIFAcom @UEFA https://t.co/CHTiUvnBTy
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 22, 2023
"Real strongly condemn the events that took place against our player Vinícius," the Spanish giants said in a statement.
The club believe the abuse "constitutes a hate crime" and had filed a complaint with the prosecutors' office "in order for the facts to be investigated and for those responsible to be held accountable."
Vinicius issued a strongly worded statement saying that La Liga "belongs to racists" and several Brazilian players past and present offered their support@LaLiga @LaLigaEN @realmadriden #racism #footballracism @FCBarcelona_es https://t.co/2Ip1WsheXP
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 22, 2023
Vinicius has frequently been singled out for racial abuse in LaLiga and the latest incident came in Valencia's Mestalla Stadium.
He stood in front of fans behind the goal and pointed to the apparent culprit.
Play was delayed for several minutes in the second half.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea spoke to stadium officials, who made an announcement calling for racist insults to stop before play resumed 10 minutes later.
@valenciacf snatched a crucial 1-0 win over @realmadriden to boost their @LaLiga survival hopes Sunday but their win was tarnished by an ugly incident involving apparent racism aimed at winger @vinijr.https://t.co/rhyA7vd1nk
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) May 21, 2023
The referee wrote in his post-match report that a fan shouted "monkey, monkey" at the player.
Vinicius was sent off in added time at the end of the game for hitting Valencia player Hugo Duro during a brawl.
