La Liga will deliver a formal report to the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee and the state’s anti-violence commission, denouncing the racist abuse directed at the Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior by Atletico Madrid fans before Sunday’s derby. The mayor of the city, Jose Luis Martínez-Almeida, has expressed his desire that those responsible are identified and not allowed to return to football stadiums in Spain.
A group of fans were filmed chanting “Vinicius is a monkey” before the game at the Metropolitano stadium on Sunday night. Although the incident that was caught on camera occurred outside the ground, La Liga will include it in the report on fan behavior that it prepares and delivers to the anti-violence commission for it to act upon each week.
The Movimiento Contra la Intolerancia (Movement Against Intolerance) has also presented a formal complaint to the state body responsible for investigating hate crimes.
“There is no place for them, not just at a sporting event but in any sphere of life,” said Martinez-Almeida. “What I think has to be done is for these people to be identified because I don’t think they deserve to be allowed in. It is absolutely reprehensible and must be condemned.
“I say this as mayor of Madrid but also, as you know, as an Atletico fan. It shames me that there should be Atletico fans capable of shouting that type of racist abuse.”
The Atletico forward Matheus Cunha has insisted that Vinícius’s pre-game statement denouncing racism was not directed at the Atletico captain Koke but at the TV guest, Pedro Bravo, who had accused him on the Spanish show Chringuito of “hacer el mono” — roughly, monkeying about — after a debate had been built up surrounding Vinicius celebrating goals by dancing.
The clip went viral, especially in Brazil, prompting statements in support of Vinicius from throughout football, including from Neymar, Dani Alves, and even Pele. Bravo apologized, saying he used the phrase “figuratively”.
Koke was subsequently asked about the likely reaction should Vinicius score and celebrate the goal by dancing, and he responded by saying there would be a “lio for sure” — a lio is trouble, a fuss, or a mess.
“They say that happiness annoys people,” Vinicius said in a statement before the derby. “Well, the happiness of a victorious black Brazilian in Europe, much more so. Weeks ago now, they started to criminalize me for dancing.”
He said that dancing “celebrate[s] the cultural diversity of the world,” and added: “Accept it, respect me, I’m not going to stop.”
After the derby, Cunha embraced Vinícius and supported him. He also posted a tweet in which he accused the media of “manipulating”.
He wrote: “Anyone who saw [Koke’s] interview knows that our captain was right: Everyone celebrates goals the way they want, it’s just that no fans like to see an opponent dance at their home.”
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