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Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has said racism is ‘normal’ in LaLiga after allegedly being subjected to chants during their game at Valencia.
The game was paused after the break as Vinicius pointed out to the referee those who were allegedly abusing him in the stands at the Mestalla.
The 22-year-old was dismissed for violent conduct on 97 minutes after an altercation with Hugo Duro.
Earlier in the game, an incensed Vinicius attempted to bring a Valencia fan to the referee’s attention.
“The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists,” Vinicius wrote on Instagram.
“It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it.
“A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which 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, for everything that happens each week, I have no defence. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here.”
In a statement, LaLiga said it has been “fighting against this kind of behaviour for years, as well as promoting the positive values of sport, not only on the field of play, but also off it”.
The Brazil forward has been the subject of racist abuse numerous times this season in LaLiga.
The game was momentarily paused in the second half as the Real forward reacted angrily to an incident in the stands.
He was fired up from that moment and was sent off for the first time in LaLiga for his involvement in an altercation between the two sets of players.
His manager Carlo Ancelotti said the game should have been stopped because of the abuse directed at his player.
“What we saw today is unacceptable. An entire stadium chanting racist slurs,” the Italian said.
“I don’t want to talk about football today, there is no meaning in talking about football today. I told the referee he should have stopped the match.
“LaLiga has a problem. For me Vinicius is the most important player in the world. LaLiga has a problem, these episodes of racism have to stop the match.
“It’s the entire stadium that is insulting a player with racist chants and the match has to stop. I would say the same if we were winning 3-0, there is no other way.”
Ancelotti said Vinicius’ reaction was “understandable” in the circumstances.
“I asked him if he wanted to keep playing, and he stayed in the game,” the former Milan midfielder added.
“Vinicius is very sad, he is angry. Something like this can’t happen in the world we live in.”
LaLiga has said it will investigate the incident while Valencia released a statement on their website condemning it and confirming they will investigate.
“Valencia CF wishes to publicly condemn any type of insult, attack or disqualification in football,” the statement read.
“The club, in its commitment to the values of respect and sport, publicly reaffirms its position against physical and verbal violence in stadiums and regrets the events that occurred.
“Although this is an isolated episode, insults to any player from the rival team have no place in football and do not fit in with the values and identity of Valencia CF.
“The club is investigating what happened and will take the most severe measures.”
LaLiga said it would take “appropriate legal action” if any hate crime is identified and called on people to submit any relevant footage.
The statement said it had been proactive after previous racist abuse against Vinicius, and had filed nine reports in the last two seasons to legal authorities in Spain.
