Vinicius Junior says La Liga 'belongs to racists' after further abuse

The Brazil international was subjected to further abuse while playing in a Spanish league match between Valencia and Real Madrid on Sunday.

Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior has accused Spain of being a racist country upon falling victim to further abuse in a La Liga game.

The 22-year-old called out a fan for racially abusing him in the second half of Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Valencia. He considered leaving the pitch, but after talking with manager Carlo Ancelotti, he decided to continue playing.

The game had to be stopped for almost 10 minutes. During the stoppage, the referee, Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea, activated Spanish football’s anti-racism protocol. This warned fans that any further racist comments would suspend the tie.

“It wasn’t the first time, or the second, or the third. Racism is normal in La Liga,” Vinicius posted on Instagram.

“The competition thinks it’s normal, the [Spanish Football] Federation does too, and opponents encourage it.

“I’m so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi, today belongs to racists. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which has agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world.

“I’m sorry for the Spaniards who don’t agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. And unfortunately, with everything that happens each week, I can’t defend it. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against the racists. Even if it’s far from here.”

In the 97th minute, the referee handed Vinicius a straight red card after a confrontation with Valencia substitute Hugo Duro.

Later on Sunday, La Liga released a statement of its own. The Spanish league announced it would get to the bottom of what happened, and if it finds evidence of any hate crime, it would take the appropriate legal action.