Valencia Football Club has received a sanction of partial stadium closure for five matches following the racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. during their recent match at Mestalla Stadium.
Spanish police have detained three individuals in connection with the incident. In addition to the stadium closure, Valencia has been fined €45,000 (£39,000) for the misconduct.
The red card issued to Vinicius, which was given late in the game, has been overturned, resulting in the player not having to serve a suspension. Valencia has expressed their intention to appeal against the decision to partially close their stadium, deeming it “disproportionate, unjust, and unprecedented.”
The club has released a statement affirming their cooperation with the police and relevant authorities in investigating the events that unfolded.
They have also taken decisive action by imposing a lifetime ban from their stadium on the fans identified by the police as engaging in racist behavior.
The closure will specifically affect the south stand of Mestalla Stadium, the area that Vinicius was seen pointing towards in an emotional and angered manner during the second half of the match before reporting the issue to the referee.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced that Vinicius, aged 22, will not face any further suspension following his red card. He will be available for selection in Real Madrid’s upcoming game against Real Vallecano.
Vinicius was sent off after a video assistant referee (VAR) check revealed an incident where he pushed Valencia forward Hugo Duro to the floor. However, the VAR footage did not capture the moment when Duro grabbed Vinicius around the neck, which also qualifies as a red card offence.
In a statement, the RFEF acknowledged that the referee’s decision to dismiss Vinicius was influenced by not having access to crucial information, making it impossible to fully assess the situation.
Regarding the partial stadium closure, the RFEF stated that it was evident, as noted by the referee, that racist shouts were directed at Vinicius, which disrupted the normal course of the match. The federation considered these infractions to be very serious.
During the match, Vinicius halted play in the second half to report the abusive behavior of opposition fans to the referee. Real Madrid has reported the incident as a hate crime to the Spanish prosecutor’s office.
The incident has sparked outrage and prompted protests from Brazilians, including a demonstration outside the Spanish consulate. The Spanish government has condemned the behavior and affirmed its commitment to combating racism in football.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his support for Vinicius, emphasizing the player’s love for the sport and the club. Ancelotti believes that Vinicius will continue his career at Real Madrid despite the abuse.
In a show of solidarity, players and match officials from La Liga teams displayed banners reading “Racism, out of football” before Tuesday night’s matches between Real Valladolid and Barcelona, as well as Celta Vigo and Girona.
Barcelona winger Raphinha also conveyed a message of support for his compatriot Vinicius when he was substituted.
Kelly Cristina Nascimento, daughter of Brazilian legend Pele, called for stronger measures against racism in football and criticized Spain, La Liga, and Real Madrid for not taking a firmer stand against the issue.
The incident has led La Liga to request increased sanctioning powers to effectively punish acts of racism, as their handling of the Valencia incident received widespread condemnation.
Following the match, Vinicius and La Liga president Javier Tebas engaged in a heated exchange on Twitter. The Brazilian player accused La Liga of being associated with racists, while Tebas responded by stating that Vinicius had failed to attend two scheduled meetings to discuss potential actions against racism.
Tebas emphasized the importance of gathering accurate information before making critical statements and slandering the league.
In response to the widespread condemnation of their handling of the incident, La Liga has pledged to request “more sanctioning powers” to effectively address and punish incidents of racism. The league acknowledges the need for stronger measures to combat racism within Spanish football and is committed to taking appropriate actions.
The incident involving Vinicius has highlighted the urgent need for football’s governing bodies to address racism effectively. It has sparked a broader conversation about racial discrimination in the sport and the necessity for tangible actions to eradicate it.
The Brazilian government, among others, has called for stricter measures and a comprehensive approach to combating racism in football.
As the fallout from this incident continues, it remains to be seen how Valencia, La Liga, and the Spanish football authorities will respond to ensure that such acts of racism are not repeated in the future.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against racism in football and the collective responsibility to create an inclusive and respectful environment for all players, regardless of their background.
Vinicius Jr. has shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, and the support he has received from his club, teammates, and the footballing community has been heartening. His determination to continue his career at Real Madrid is a testament to his love for the game and his refusal to let racism define his journey.
It is now up to the relevant authorities to learn from this incident, implement stronger measures to combat racism, and ensure that football remains a platform where players can showcase their skills without fear of discrimination or abuse.
Only through collective action and a steadfast commitment to change can the sport truly be rid of racism and become a beacon of unity and inclusivity.
