VIDEO: Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. sent off after racism at Valencia (Watch the full video)
‘The league that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is racist today’, says Real Madrid star
Vinicius Jr. said “racism is normal in La Liga” after he was sent off in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Valencia.
The game at Mestalla was suspended for 10 minutes in the second half after Vinicius pointed out to the referee the fans’ racism towards him.
The Brazilian played on but was sent off after an altercation with Valencia players in stoppage time. The 22-year-old shoved Valencia striker Hugo Duro, leading to a row that saw VAR decide to show him a red card.
Vinicius has been subjected to racist abuse many times this season. Ahead of Sunday’s game, La Liga had already filed as many as eight allegations of “racist conduct” against the striker this season, including against Real Madrid’s rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
“The title that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi today belongs to racists,” Vinicius posted on social media.
“It’s not the first time, it’s not the second time, it’s not the third time,” Vinicius said. “Racism is normal in La Liga. The game feels normal, the league feels normal, the opponents encourage it.
“Today, in Brazil, Spain is called a racist country. Unfortunately, I have no defense for what happens every week. But I am strong and I will fight the racists to the end.”