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Vinícius Júnior in the game at Valencia: "The Spanish league has a problem with racism," says Real coach Ancelotti

Photo: eu-images / IMAGO

It was not the first time: As has often been the case this season, Real attacker Vinícius Júnior was racially insulted in the game at Valencia FC – and this time the incident drew reactions: Numerous footballers stood behind the attacked, at the same time the Spanish federation made it clear that it does not want to know anything about a racism problem in Spanish football.

"You're not alone," wrote France striker Kylian Mbappé on Instagram. »We are with you and we support you.« Teammate Toni Kroos tweeted: "Always with you, my friend." Real coach Carlo Ancelotti soberly stated: "The Spanish league has a problem with racism – a very serious problem."

Vinícius Júnior was the victim of racist verbal attacks on Sunday during the league match between Valencia and Real Madrid (1-0). Subsequently, the striker accused the league and the Spanish federation of considering racism as "normal". Javier, Tebas, head of the Spanish professional league, replied that the player needed to be better informed.

Racism as an "extremely specific issue"

Vinícius responded to this on Monday with another attack on Tebas. "Instead of criticizing racists, the league president is once again appearing on social media to attack me," the 22-year-old wrote on Twitter. Tebas puts himself "on a par with the racists." I want deeds and punishments," he demanded.

The renewed response from Tebas was not long in coming. Neither Spain nor LaLiga are racist, he stressed. Incidents of racism would be "prosecuted with the utmost severity". This season, nine racist incidents have been reported to the judiciary, eight of them against Vinicius. "We cannot allow the image of a competition that is above all a symbol of union between peoples to be damaged," he wrote on Twitter, describing racism as an "extremely specific issue" that "we will eliminate."

Real Madrid, meanwhile, reported the racist incident. This had been brought to the public prosecutor's office in Madrid, which is responsible for hate crimes and discrimination, the Spanish record champion announced on Monday. "These incidents represent a direct attack on the model of coexistence in our social and democratic constitutional state," the club said in a statement.

Lula calls for "serious measures"

Politicians also reacted to the events: Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the hostility. On the sidelines of the G7 summit in Japan, the 77-year-old called for "serious measures". One must not allow "fascism and racism to take over the football stadiums".

sol/dpa/AP/sid