The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has taken strong action against racist abuse towards Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr. during their La Liga match against Valencia on Sunday. The incident led to a five-game partial stadium ban at Valencia's Mestalla Stadium, along with a hefty fine of €45,000 (around $48,489) for the club.
During the game, a fan was reported to have shouted racial slurs at Vinícius Jr., disrupting the game and prompting the RFEF to label it as a serious infraction. Video footage from the match showed several instances of the Brazilian star being subjected to racist insults throughout the game.
However, the RFEF's Competition Committee has rescinded the red card that was shown to Vinícius Jr. during the match, stating that the referee and video assistant officials did not take into account the actions of two Valencia players, Hugo Duro and Giorgi Mamardashvili. Valencia has the right to appeal the ruling.
The banned section of the stadium is the southern stands known as the Mario Kempes seating area. Valencia has expressed its disagreement and indignation at the decision and has vowed to fight it.
Meanwhile, Vinícius Jr.'s compatriot Raphinha, who plays for Barcelona, expressed solidarity with his Brazilian countryman during the league champions' game against Real Valladolid on Tuesday. While being substituted, Raphinha revealed a message on his undershirt, which read, "Until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, there will be war" in Portuguese.
Vinícius Jr. has been subjected to racist abuse during La Liga matches in the past, and seven people were arrested on Tuesday in connection with incidents of racist abuse directed at the Real Madrid star this season. Four young men were detained for allegedly hanging an effigy of Vinícius off a bridge in Madrid in January, while three others were arrested for being involved in the racist insults aimed at the Brazilian during Sunday's match against Valencia. Both incidents are being treated as hate crimes.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva came to Vinícius Jr.'s defense on Monday, saying that it was "not possible that almost in the middle of the 21st century, we have racial prejudice gaining strength in several football stadiums in Europe." He called on FIFA, Spanish leagues, and other leagues worldwide to take real action to combat racism in football stadiums.
On Monday, Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue turned off its lights to show solidarity with Vinícius Jr. and to raise awareness of the issue of racism in football. The incident has sparked an important discussion about the need for stronger action against racism in sporting events.