Real Madrid's Vinicius: Racism 'normal, encouraged' in LaLiga - ESPN

Vinicius Junior hit out after he was racially abused by a fan — and later sent off — during Real Madrid's 1-0 LaLiga defeat to Valencia on Sunday, saying «racism is normal in LaLiga.»

The game was stopped for almost 10 minutes during the second half at Mestalla, after Vinicius identified the fan in the crowd behind the Valencia goal.

Referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea activated Spanish football's anti-racism protocol, and Vinicius initially said he did not wish to continue playing, before deciding to carry on after discussions with coach Carlo Ancelotti.

«It wasn't the first time, or the second, or the third. Racism is normal in La Liga,» Vinicius posted on Instagram. «The competition thinks it's normal, the [Spanish Football] Federation does too, and opponents encourage it.

»I'm so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi, today belongs to racists. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which has 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, with everything that happens each week, I can't defend it. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against the racists. Even if it's far from here.»

In a statement on Sunday, LaLiga said that it had «requested all the available images to investigate what happened» and that «once the investigation is concluded, in the event that a hate crime is identified, LaLiga will take the appropriate legal action.»

Speaking to Movistar after the game, coach Ancelotti backed his player, saying that «LaLiga has a problem» with racism.

«I don't want to talk about football. I want