Barcelona are set to investigate racist abuse on Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr by fans during Saturday’s El Clasico.
Barcelona welcomed Real Madrid at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in the first El Clasico of the 2023/24 season.
However, that was not the only story that unfolded at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Madrid’s attacker Vinicius Jr was allegedly abused racially when he was being substituted in the most-watched Spanish rivalry match.
Barcelona released a statement saying: “FC Barcelona will always defend the values of football and sport, such as respect for the opponent, and we will investigate any racist insult that may have occurred.”
La Liga also released a statement via its social media handle, saying it “has been working from the outset to identify the individuals involved in making racist insults and will file the relevant charges”.
Vinicius, who has been targeted several times during his time in Spain, also faced the same issue in the season’s first El Clasico match.
He also faced the same abuses when Madrid faced Barca last season and it has happened to the Brazilian this season again.
Before the match with Barcelona, he was abused in last week’s fixture with Sevilla but praised Sevilla for acting swiftly to eject and report the fan.
Recall we reported that an image surfaced online that showed a man making a racist gesture towards him and now Barcelona fans have done same.
For now, there’s no image or evidence in that regard, but several incidents were captured especially in the match against Valencia.
Three fans of Valencia were accused of racially abusing the Brazilian forward during a game in May at Estadio Mestalla.
September 2022 – Before Real Madrid’s match, some Atletico Madrid supporters heckled Vinicius outside of their Wanda Metropolitano stadium. Later, a “minority” of Atletico Madrid supporters denounced the “unacceptable” chanting.
September 2022 – Vinicius danced around the corner flag as part of his goal celebration, which was criticized by some Spanish experts. “The happiness of a black Brazilian in Europe” is what he said in response to the criticism.
December 2022 – At Valladolid, Vinicius seemed to be the target of racist taunts as he passed supporters following his substitution. According to La Liga, it has reported Vinicius’ racial mistreatment to the “relevant judicial, administrative, and sporting bodies” with allegations.
January 2023 – Before a Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid, an effigy of the Real Madrid winger was suspended from a bridge close to the team’s training facility. The incident was deemed “repugnant” by Atletico Madrid.
February 2023 – A video purportedly showed Mallorca supporters harassing the Brazilian player racially during a match with Real Madrid.
March 2023 – La Liga reported the racist taunts to the Barcelona Court of Instruction after “intolerable racist behavior was once again observed against Vinicius” in a match versus Barcelona.
May 2023 – Racist taunts are directed at Vinicius by Valencia. Later, three people are taken into custody in relation to the abuse.
