Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has condemned racist insults aimed at Barcelona players during LaLiga’s El Clasico.
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Vinicius calls out racist fans during El Clasico
Video footage showed fans targeting Lamine Yamal after scoring Barcelona’s third goal in the 4-0 win over Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The video went viral on social media.
Vinicius, who has faced his share of racist abuse incidents, expressed support for his Barca opponents.
“What happened yesterday at the Bernabéu with the racist insults was terrible,” VinÃcius posted on X. “There’s no room for these criminals in our society.”
“All my support to Lamine, Ansu [Fati] and Raphinha. I know that Madrid and the police will act to identify and punish the guilty!”
LaLiga, Spanish government condemns racist fans
Earlier, LaLiga said they have reported the incident to police and hate crime prosecutors.
“LaLiga will immediately report the racist insults and gestures aimed at Barcelona players to the National Police’s Hate Crime Group, as well as informing the Coordinating Hate Crimes Prosecutor with the Hate Crime and Discrimination Unit at the State Attorney General’s Office,” the league said in a statement.
“LaLiga strongly condemns the events that occurred at the Santiago Bernabéu and remains firm in its commitment to eradicate any type of racist behaviour and hatred inside and outside stadiums. There is no place for this scourge in sport.”
Madrid also condemned the abuse, saying an investigation is underway.
“Madrid strongly condemns any kind of behaviour involving racism, xenophobia or violence in football and sport, and deeply regrets the insults made by a few fans last night in one of the corners of the stadium,” Madrid said in a statement.
“Real Madrid has opened an investigation in order to locate and identify the perpetrators of these regrettable and despicable insults, in order to take the appropriate disciplinary and judicial measures.”
Meanwhile, the Spanish government also made a call to prevent violence, racism and other hate crimes in sports.
“The ‘Clásico’ is one of the world’s greatest spectacles, a true expression of the importance that soccer has in our country,” the government said.
“During this game, or in any sporting event, there can never be any room for expressions of violence, racism, xenophobia, hatred or intolerance.”
What has LaLiga done so far in combating racism?
LaLiga has made an action in combating racist abuse aimed at players by fans in recent years, particularly towards Vinicius.
In June, three Valencia fans were sentenced to jail for racially abusing VinÃcius during a game at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium in May 2023.
LaLiga held a conference this week, together with Madrid’s regional government, on tackling racism, prejudice, and discrimination in football.
