File image of Vinicius Junior©AFP
Real Madrid filed a criminal complaint with Spanish prosecutors on Monday over racist abuse received by Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior during a La Liga match over the weekend, calling it a “hate crime”. The 22-year-old Brazilian international striker was targeted by a home supporter during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Valencia and was later sent off. “Real Madrid strongly condemns the events that took place yesterday against our player Vinícius Junior,” the Spanish giants said in a statement.
The club said it believes the abuse “constitutes a hate crime” and had lodged a complaint with the prosecutor’s office “so that the facts can be investigated and those responsible held accountable.”
Vinicius has often been singled out for racist abuse in La Liga and the latest incident occurred at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium. He moved behind the goal in front of fans and pointed to the suspected culprit. In the second half, play was halted for several minutes.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea spoke to stadium officials, who made an announcement calling for a stop to racial slurs before play resumed 10 minutes later.
The referee wrote in his post-match report that a fan yelled “monkey monkey” at the player. Vinicius was sent off in extra time at the end of the game for hitting Valencia player Hugo Duro during a brawl.
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