The Spanish football league (La Liga) on Tuesday filed criminal complaints against Real Valladolid fans who aimed racist insults against Real Madrid player Vinícius Júnior.
In a statement La Liga said it had filed charges ‘regarding the racist chants directed at Júnior with the relevant judicial, administrative and sporting bodies.’
‘A criminal charge for hate crimes has been filed with the Valladolid Magistrates’ Courts, supported by audiovisual evidence gathered in the investigation carried out through images and audio clips published on open sources,’ the statement read.
‘La Liga has also asked the Valladolid Magistrates’ Courts to transfer the complaint to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Hate Crimes so that it can participate in the case,’ it added.
It also asked the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to look into the incident and consider a possible punishment for Valladolid.
The league also said it would ‘increase its on-going efforts to eradicate any kind of violence, racism or xenophobia inside and outside stadiums’.
Vinícius took to social media to complain about the insults he was subjected to during Madrid’s 2-0 win at Valladolid on Friday. The Brazil international said: ‘Racists continue to go to stadiums and watch the biggest club in the world up close and La Liga continues to do nothing. I will continue with my head held high and celebrating my victories and those of Madrid.’
It wasn’t the first time Vinícius has been targeted by racists while playing in Spain.
Last year, a large group of Atlético Madrid fans chanted ‘Vinícius, you are a monkey’ outside Metropolitano Stadium before Madrid’s 2-1 win in September. Spanish state prosecutors closed a probe into that case citing a lack of sufficient evidence to identify potential perpetrators of the hate crime. ALSO READ: Spain’s PM criticises Atlético Madrid over Vinícius racism incident, prior to club’s statement.
Vinícius was also targeted by a fan who racially insulted him after EL Clásico against Barcelona in 2021.
Os racistas seguem indo aos estádios e assistindo ao maior clube do mundo de perto e a @LaLiga segue sem fazer nada…
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) December 31, 2022
Seguirei de cabeça erguida e comemorando as minhas vitórias e do Madrid.
No final a culpa é MINHA. 🤙🏿 pic.twitter.com/5ztuTjP4s6
#LaLiga files charges regarding the racist chants directed at @vinijr with the relevant judicial, administrative and sporting bodies.
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) January 3, 2023
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