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Barça to investigate alleged racial abuse of Vinicius at El Clásico

Barcelona said they would investigate alleged racist abuse of Vinicius Junior in their 2-1 Clásico defeat by Real Madrid on Saturday.

Barça to investigate alleged racial abuse of Vinicius at El Clásico
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward #07 Vinicius Junior (C) reacts next to Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti (L) during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF October 28, 2023. Photo: LLUIS GENE/AFP.

A video published by Spanish media outlets appeared to show a home supporter calling the Brazilian winger a “monkey”, while an object that looks like a banana skin also appears to be thrown from elsewhere.

“FC Barcelona will always defend the values of football and sport such as respect for the opponent and we will investigate any racist insult that may have occurred this afternoon during the match against Real Madrid,” said the Catalan club on X, formerly Twitter.

Vinicius, jeered by fans at Barcelona’s temporary Olympic Stadium home throughout, particularly upset them when he was substituted late on after Jude Bellingham scored his second goal in stoppage time to win Madrid the game.

The 23-year-old walked off slowly, turning to the stands to celebrate, pumping his fists, with Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti pulling him off the pitch by the arm.

“He came off very calmly, I told him he had to come off a bit quicker… I helped him off,” said the Italian coach.

Vinicius also exchanged words with Xavi during the game over a challenge on him by Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. “I have a lot of respect for Vinicius, I told him it was not a foul,” said Xavi.

Vinicius was also racially abused last Saturday in Madrid’s draw at Sevilla, with one fan ejected. The winger highlighted another video of a child appearing to make a racist gesture at him in the same match.

“Sorry to seem repetitive, but this is isolated episode number 19, and counting,” said Vinicius in a statement last weekend.

He has been the victim of racist abuse on multiple other occasions during his time in Spain, although often no action has been taken by the law.

Vinicius testified before a Spanish court on October 5 by videoconference as part of an investigation into alleged abuse he suffered at Valencia in May.

The winger stopped the game at the Mestalla Stadium to face off with a fan he believed was abusing him, with Vinicius receiving global support for his actions.

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SPORT

Atlético Madrid hit with partial stadium closure after racist abuse

Atlético Madrid must partially close their stadium for two La Liga matches after Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams suffered racial abuse there, the Spanish football federation said.

Atlético Madrid hit with partial stadium closure after racist abuse

The Spain international heard monkey chants directed at him in the first half of his team’s 3-1 defeat at Atlético’s Metropolitano stadium in Spain’s top flight on Saturday.

“(Atlético have been issued) a sanction of partial closure of their sports venue for a period of two matches and a financial penalty of €20,000 ($21,350),” said the federation’s competition committee in a statement.

READ ALSO: World Cup winner Del Bosque to watch over Spain’s scandal-hit federation

One area of Atlético’s stadium will be shut for the upcoming league matches against Celta Vigo and Osasuna, as they strive for a top four finish.

“I went to take the corner and I heard monkey noises,” said Williams after Saturday’s game.

“There weren’t many of them. There are stupid people everywhere… I hope this changes bit by bit.”

Williams scored after the abuse and celebrated by pointing to his arm in reference to his skin colour.

“(The celebration) was with a bit of anger, it’s not normal to be insulted for the colour of your skin,” he added.

Spanish football has suffered a spate of racist incidents in recent years, many of which have been aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

The Brazil international earned global support after facing off with a fan who was abusing him last year at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium, which also faced subsequent partial closure.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The racism problem that has blighted Spanish football

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