Vinicius Jr says Spain 'belongs to racists' after he was targeted by vile chants

Brazil and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior says Spain ‘belongs to racists’ after he was once again subjected to vile chants during a La Liga match on Sunday night.

The 22-year-old has unfortunately grown accustomed to being subjected to racist chants during recent years.

Atletico Madrid fans hung an effigy of Vinicius on the eve of the team’s derby match against Real Madrid in January, having targeted the Brazilian with racist chants during the two teams’ previous encounter.

During a game against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday night, Vinicius was incensed as he was once again targeted.

The game was paused shortly after the half-time break when the Brazilian attempted to point out the perpetrators to the referee but nothing was done.

With the match in added time and Real Madrid trailing 1-0, Vinicius was sent off for violent conduct for an altercation with Valencia striker Hugo Duro. Vinicius was furious after he was gripped in a headlock by Duro but the incident was not analysed during a VAR review.

But the sending off was the least of Vinicius’ concerns afterwards, as the Brazilian added the racist abuse to the long line of incidents that he’s been subjected to.

In a statement on Instagram, the forward said racism had been normalised in Spain and that the country now ‘belonged’ to racists.

‘The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists,’ said Vinicius.

‘It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it.

‘A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world. I’m sorry for the Spaniards who don’t agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.

‘And unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defence. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here.’

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was unwilling to talk about the match afterwards and focused his attention on highlighting the abuse aimed at Vinicus.

The Italian, who used to manage Chelsea, said he asked the referee to stop the match but his request fell on deaf ears.

‘What we saw today is unacceptable. An entire stadium chanting racist slurs,’ said Ancelotti.

‘I don’t want to talk about football today, there is no meaning in talking about football today. I told the referee he should have stopped the match.

‘La Liga has a problem. For me Vinicius is the most important player in the world. La Liga has a problem, these episodes of racism have to stop the match.

‘It’s the entire stadium that is insulting a player with racist chants and the match has to stop. I would say the same if we were winning 3-0, there is no other way.’

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