Real Madrid have lodged a hate crime complaint with Spanish prosecutors after the club’s forward, Vinicius Jr, was targeted with racist abuse during their LaLiga tie against Valencia.
Madrid’s match against Valencia was paused on Sunday night after the half-time break as the 22-year-old Brazilian pointed out supporters who were taunting him to the referee.
Vinicius, who has been racially abused from the stands several times this season, was enraged, prompting teammates and opposition players to try to calm him down at Valencia’s Mestalla ground.
The Brazilian was later sent off for violent conduct in added time of his side’s 1-0 defeat following an altercation with Valencia striker Hugo Duro – the first red card of his career.
French striker, Kylian Mbappe, has led the messages of support for Vinicius.
He wrote in a post wrote on Instagram: “You are not alone. We are with you and we support you.”
READ ALSO: Real Madrid’s Vinicius: LaLiga now belongs to racists
The 24-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star was targeted with racist abuse himself after France lost to Argentina in the World Cup final last year.
Meanwhile, LaLiga President, Javier Tebas, accused Vinicius of twice not turning up for meetings to discuss what can be done “in cases of racism”.
Tebas said: “Before criticising and insulting LaLiga it is necessary that you inform yourself properly Vinicius Jr.”
Vinicius hit back and said: “Once again, instead of criticising racists, the president of LaLiga appears on social media to attack me.”
He added that he wants “actions and punishments” for people who make racist chants.
Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, had earlier backed his player after the match, saying LaLiga “has a problem” with racism.
The Italian said the referee should have stopped the match due to the “unacceptable” chanting directed at Vinicius.
“It’s the entire stadium that is insulting a player with racist chants, and the match has to stop,” he added.
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