By 90min | Created at 2024-10-29 21:33:03 | Updated at 2024-11-05 21:21:18
1 week ago
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has come out in support of the Barcelona players who were allegedly subjected to racist chants during Saturday night's La Liga meeting between the two clubs.
In the aftermath of Barcelona's thumping 4-0 win at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu, reports emerged that racist abuse had been directed at the visiting trio of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Ansu Fati. Yamal and Raphinha both scored for the visitors after Robert Lewandowski's second-half brace, while Fati was an unused substitute who warmed up next to the stands.
Vinicius has unfortunately suffered a slew of vile insults during his time in Spain. After a particularly vehement confrontation with Valencia fans in May 2023, the Brazilian said: "Racism is normal in La Liga."
Despite moments of understandable disillusion, Madrid's star forward has continued to fight against discrimination, regardless of club loyalties.
"It's regrettable what happened yesterday at the Bernabeu with racist insults," Vinicius wrote on X. "There is no place for these criminals in our society. All my support to Lamine, Ansu and Raphinha. I know that Madrid and the police will do things to identify and punish the guilty!!"
Lamine Yamal scored Barcelona's third goal against Real Madrid / David Ramos/GettyImages
Vinicius' post came in response to a club statement which read: "Real Madrid strongly condemns any type of behaviour that involves racism, xenophobia or violence in football and sport, and deeply regrets the insults that a few fans uttered last night in one of the corners of the stadium.
"Real Madrid has opened an investigation in order to locate and identify the authors of these regrettable and despicable insults, in order to adopt the relevant disciplinary and judicial measures."
The Spanish league also spoke out against the alleged chants, posting: "La Liga will immediately report the racist insults and gestures received by Barcelona players to the Hate Crimes Section of the National Police Information Brigade, as well as informing the Coordinating Prosecutor of the Hate Crimes and Discrimination Unit of the State Attorney General’s Office.
"La Liga vehemently condemns the incidents at the Santiago Bernabeu and remains firm in its commitment to eradicate any kind of racist behaviour and hatred inside and outside stadiums."
Yamal appeared unfazed by the deplorable abuse. The teenage sensation celebrated become the youngest scorer in Clasico history by hailing his boyhood club as "the best team in the world". "They said we were beating only normal teams," the 17-year-old argued. "Now we have beaten Real Madrid 4-0 at their home. We've proven that we can beat anyone."
