Since Sunday and the racist insults suffered by Vinicius Junior in Valencia, the case has taken a legal turn, leading to several arrests.
It took until the sixth case of the year for the subject to flare up. As in particular in Mallorca, Valladolid or Barcelona, the Brazilian winger of Real Madrid Vinicius Junior was the victim of racist insults during his match in Valencia, Sunday May 21. Since then, it is a real awareness that seems to animate the Spanish authorities. Many events in the following hours placed this affair at the heart of the news. Franceinfo summarizes the facts for you.
Facts: ‘mono, mono’, Vinicius insulted by Valencia supporters
While playing for Real Madrid in Valencia on Sunday, Vinicius Junior hears a fan calling him a “mono” (“monkey” in Castilian) and protests, pointing the finger at said aficionado. Briefly interrupted, the electric match finally comes to an end … without the Brazilian winger, sent off in stoppage time following a scuffle with Valencian defender Hugo Duro – meanwhile cleared by the referee.
According to Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, the insults began as soon as the Madrid club arrived at Mestalla, two hours before kick-off.
“This league has a problem with racism”, reacts Carlo Ancelotti
As soon as the match was over, Vinicius Junior was supported by Ancelotti. “ What happened today has already happened to us, but in this way, nohe laments in the post-match press conference h. The Spanish La Liga has a problem with racism. And the problem is not Vinicius. He is the victim.”
Exasperated by these multiple attacks, the Brazilian claims that “the championship belongs to racism”. “With my expulsion, the racists have won. It’s not football, it’s La Liga”he wrote in a story on Instagram.
Vinicius supported by the world of football… but not by La Liga
Beyond his club, Vinicius receives many weighty supports. “You are not alone, we are with you and we support you”, writes for example Kylian Mbappé on Instagram. Other figures, such as Neymar, Rio Ferdinand or Paul Pogba, also react.
Despite this unity, the dissonant voice of Javier Tebas emerges. The La Liga president is indeed attacking … Vinicius: “We wanted to explain to you what La Liga is doing to act against racism, but you haven’t shown up for any scheduled meetings. Before criticizing and insulting La Liga, you must inform yourself.”
Real Madrid files a complaint, an open investigation
On Monday, the day after the events, Real Madrid went into high gear and filed a complaint with the Spanish courts, relying on the legal ground of “hate crime”. “These facts constitute a direct attack on our model of coexistence of our social and democratic State of law” insists the club.
A few hours later, the Valence prosecutor’s office announced the opening of an investigation for this same criminal category, which includes racist insults. The debate also agitates the political sphere, since the Minister of Consumption, Alberto Garzón claims “ a firm answer.
Four people arrested in Madrid for facts dating back to January
Has the media impact accelerated this procedure? Tuesday morning, two days after the match in Valencia, the national police announced the arrest of four individuals in Madrid. They are suspected of having hanged a mannequin bearing the image of Vinicius in January, before a derby between Atlético and Real, in the King’s Cup. Again, the “hate crime” is invoked.
“Three young people” arrested in Valencia
A few hours later, three other people were arrested by the police, this time in Valencia. These “three young people” are suspected of having uttered racist insults against “Vini”. While the Spanish Higher Sports Council (CSD) continues to analyze the images available to formally identify the culprits, the Valencia club announces, in a press release [en espagnol]his wish to “deport for life” those who are guilty of racist acts.
Valencia-Real Madrid video referee dismissed
Initially appointed for two Matchday 36 matches next weekend, Valencia-Real Madrid video referee Nacho Iglesias Villanueva is finally sidelined “after a decision of the technical arbitration committee”, said the Federation in a press release on Tuesday. This does not specify the reason, but the timing of the decision suggests a sanction.
“I don’t know if they manipulated them or if they just forgot to show them to him, but it is clear that Vinicius was assaulted”slice Carlo Ancelotti about the images of the action on which the Brazilian is expelled, unlike his vis-à-vis.