The head of Spain’s national football federation has said the country has a problem with racism, as Brazilian politicians, sports stars and celebrities staged a show of support for Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, who had abuse hurled at him during a match on Sunday.
Luis Rubiales, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, called for zero tolerance of racism in stadiums after abuse was directed at the 22-year-old Brazilian forward during a match at Valencia. “We have a problem in our country: of behaviour and racism,” Rubiales said on Monday.
Speaking after Sunday’s game, Real Madrid’s Italian manager, Carlo Ancelotti, said the racist abuse – which prompted his player to ask to be taken off the pitch after repeatedly being called a “monkey” – highlighted how “something bad is happening in this league”.
Real Madrid described the abuse as “a direct attack” on democracy and a “hate crime”, and announced it had lodged a complaint with prosecutors.