Valencia CF To Impose Life Ban On Fans Who Racially Abused Vinicius Jr

Authorities have been asked by Madrid to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF reacts during the LaLiga Santander match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at Mestalla stadium, May 21, 2023, Valencia, Spain.

Source : Getty Images

Spanish football club Valencia CF, in line with its permanent commitment against racism and violence in all forms, has announced a life ban for fans who made racially abused Vinicius Jr at the Mestalla on Sunday (May 21). It announced that the police has even identified a fan who made a racially abusive gesture and is working along with the club officials to identify other offenders who might have been involved.

"From the moment that the unfortunate events occurred, the club have analysed all the available footage, working alongside the authorities as rapidly as possible to clarify what happened in order to be able to act quickly and forcefully,” the club said in an official statement.

"Valencia CF have proceeded to open a disciplinary case, will apply the maximum level of severity, including a lifetime stadium ban against the fans involved, and is working closely together with the authorities," it added.

"The club strongly condemn this type of behaviour, which has no place in football and society and does not correspond to the values of Valencia CF and our fans. Valencia CF have taken a strong stance against racism and have previously acted with the same forcefulness in 2019, with a lifetime ban for a fan who made fascist gestures to Arsenal fans in a UEFA Europa League game," the club further said.

Meanwhile, the president of Spain's football federation has acknowledged that they have a racism problem as this isn't the first time such an act has happened. Authorities have even been asked by Madrid to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

On the other hand, people from various walks of life have showed their solidarity with Vinicius who was deeply hurt by the acts and even considered leaving the field due to the racial abuses hurled at him from the fans during Real Madrid's 0-1 loss against Valencia in La Liga.