LaLiga has launched an investigation after Vinicius Junior was again the target of “intolerable” racist abuse in Real Madrid’s defeat at Real Mallorca on Sunday.
Footage on social media showed racist abuse being shouted at Vinicius during Madrid’s 1-0 defeat at Son Moix, the latest in a string of similar incidents the Brazilian has been involved in this season.
Vinicius was subjected to racist abuse before and during both of Madrid’s meetings with out-of-town rivals Atletico Madrid this season, while individuals were charged after similar incidents occurred in December’s match against Real Valladolid.
A statement issued by LaLiga on Monday read: “Given the events that took place in the RCD Mallorca-Real Madrid match, in which unbearable racist insults were again observed against the Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior, LaLiga is giving all the technical means at its disposal.” and working with the local club to identify those responsible with a view to taking appropriate legal action.
“LaLiga strongly condemns what happened and, as on previous occasions, will file the necessary complaints and appear in person to continue to fight any racist act, behavior or incident within its powers.
“LaLiga has spent years fighting against this kind of behavior and promoting the positive values of the sport not only on the pitch but also off it.”
The league also urged supporters with any knowledge regarding the events to get in touch via a dedicated email address.
In December, Vinicius took to social media to accuse LaLiga of “doing nothing” to combat racist abuse from the stands, comments that prompted a response from league president Javier Tebas.
Tebas took to Twitter to call Vinicius’ complaints “unfair and untrue,” adding: “I’ve been fighting racism for years. We are at your disposal so that together we can go in the same direction.”
In the build-up to Madrid’s Copa del Rey win over Atlético last month, pictures on social media showed a dummy wearing a Vinicius shirt hanging by the neck from a bridge in the Spanish capital.
Both clubs and the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) condemned the incident, with Los Blancos describing it as a “disgusting act of racism, xenophobia and hatred”.
