VALENCIA ― Valencia’s south stand will be partially closed for five matches and the club fined €45,000 (RM221,225) after the racist abuse suffered by Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr in Sunday’s LaLiga game, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said yesterday.
Seven people were detained by Spanish police earlier yesterday, accused of different hate crimes against Vinicius Jr, including racist slurs allegedly hurled at the Brazilian during Sunday’s match at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium.
The game was halted for 10 minutes as the Brazil forward pointed out fans who were abusing him. He was then involved in an altercation with Valencia’s players which led to him being sent off in the second half.
“It is considered proven that there were racist shouts at Vinicius during the aforementioned match. A financial penalty of €45,000 is imposed on Valencia,” the Competition Committee of the RFEF said in a statement.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday he expected Brazilian forward to remain at the Spanish club despite facing racist abuse in several LaLiga matches.
Tuesday’s arrests come a day after football federation chief Luis Rubiales said Spanish soccer has a racism problem. ― Reuters
