Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr and LaLiga President, Javier Tebas, are embroiled in a bitter online exchange following racial abuse on the Brazil international.
The spat between Vinicius Jr and Tebas was another shocker after the glaring racial chants hurled at the player at Mestalla stadium in Valencia.
Real Madrid suffered a shock defeat to the home side after the final whistle but the match was marred with tensed moments and spates of controversies.
Before and during the game, Valencia fans hurled racial abuses on Vinicius Jr.
At a point, the match was forced to be paused by the referee as an emotional Vinicius Jr attempted to call the attention of the referee to a particular fan that was calling him monkey.
Later in the game, Vinicius Jr clashed with Valencia player, Hugo Duro. He punched Duro after the latter headlocked him in an extra time melee.
The Real Madrid superstar was sent off in the game as he received his first straight red card of his career following the clash with Duro.
After the match, Vinicius Jr took to his social media handle to blast LaLiga and Spain for allowing racism dominate the competition.
In an expressly candid tone, Vinicius Jr attacked LaLiga and Spain for entertaining racism in football as he recount his experiences. He wrote;
“…’It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in LaLiga.
“The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I’m so sorry.
LaLiga President, Javier Tebas, reacts
Javier Tebas was obviously angered by Vinicius Jr’s tweet. The Spain football chief lashed out on the youngster for labeling LaLiga and Spain racist.
Describing his claims as unfounded and unfair, Javier Tebas maintained neither LaLiga nor Spain is racist.
Tebas further claimed Vinicius Jr has not been informed on what he should do and had, on two occasions, refuse to show up on dates he (Vinicius Jr) fixed himself to follow up his racist claims with the LaLiga.
“…’Neither Spain nor LaLiga are racist, it is very unfair to say that
“Since those who should not explain to you what it is and what it can do @LaLiga in cases of racism, we have tried to explain it to you, but you have not shown up for either of the two agreed dates that you requested yourself.
”Before criticising and insulting @LaLiga, it is necessary that you inform yourself properly @Vinijr.”
Vinicius Jr fires back at Javier Tebas
After Javier Tebas salting remark, Vinicius Jr immediately took to his social media handle to fire back at him.
He blasted Tebas for not condemning the incident at the Mestalla stadium.
The Brazil international likened Javier Tebas to the racist fans on the Mestalla stadium.
”Once again, instead of criticising racists, the president of LaLiga appears on social media to attack me.
”As much as you talk and pretend not to read, the image of your championship is shaken. See the responses to your posts and have a surprise… Omitting yourself only makes you equal to racists.”
Real Madrid react, file ‘hate crime’ complaint
Real Madrid issued a statement confirming their solidarity with Vinicius Jr and decision to file a ‘hate crime’ complaint to the office of the Attorney general in Spain following the incident.
The official statement by the club reads;
“Real Madrid is strongly repulsed and condemns the events that took place yesterday against our player Vinícius Jr.
“These acts constitute a direct attack on the coexistence model of our social and democratic state of law.”
Also, in a viral footage release by the club on its social media handle, Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez personally met with Vincius Jr after the incident to assure him of the club’s support and solidarity after the incident.
Rio Ferdinand calls Javier Tebas to step down as LaLiga Chief
English pundit and Manchester United legend emptied his fury on Javier Tebas after the latter’s reply to Vinicius Jr. He called him to step down, describing his response as ‘disgusting and embarrassing.’
Ferdinand wrote, “Just step down now. Disgusting and embarrassing. So out of touch that I can’t actually believe this guy is allowed to write his own social media post.”
It is not the first time Vinícius Jr has been on the center of a racism row in the LaLiga.
In 2022, Spanish Football Agents President, Pedro Bravo sparked reactions when he said Vincius Jr should stop acting monkey when he score goals but should learn to respect his opponents.
Again, during a feisty Madrid derby at the Metropolitano stadium this season, Atletico Madrid fans hurled racial slurs on Vinicius before and during the game.
Amid the racism row, rumors of Vinicius Jr’s potential LaLiga exit has surfaced. However, we understand Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid have reached agreement for a new contract extension.
