In response to Valencia fans’ racial taunting of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. last week, LaLiga President Javier Tebas has issued an apology.
Following the event, Tebas charged Vincius Jr. with failing to show up for meetings with the league to discuss his complaints.
Additionally, he added, “You must educate yourself.” Do not allow yourself to be used as a pawn.
In response to Tebas’ remarks, Vinicius Jr. expressed his outrage and stated: “Once again, the president of LaLiga appears on social media to insult me.
As much as you talk and claim not to read, your championship’s reputation is damaged. By leaving oneself out, you merely elevate racism. Actions and penalties are what I desire.
Tebas said to ESPN Brasil: “I did not mean to attack Vinicius, but if the majority of people took it that way, I need to apologize.” It wasn’t my aim to express myself poorly and inappropriately.
Valencia has been fined £39,000 as a result of the racial shouts during the game on Sunday. Valencia’s final home match against Espanyol and their first four home games of the next season will both take place with the Mario Kempes stand closed. The shouts directed against Vinicius began from that position.
Valencia will contest the decision to close the stand and believes the fine is excessive because some of the fans were not part in the “shameful” incident.
Vinicius Jr. was dismissed following the incident, however the decision to dismiss him for tussling with Hugo Duro of Valencia has now been reversed.
In a statement, the RFEF said: “Following the incidents that took place during the team’s match against Real Madrid, the Competition Committee has sanctioned Valencia CF with the partial closure of the Mestalla stadium for five matches, notably the Mario Kempes South Stand.
It is believed to be established that racist slurs were directed at Vinicius, as the referee noted in his report. These infractions are thought to be highly significant.
Additionally, Valencia is subject to a €45,000 economic penalty.
‘Valencia CF wishes to show its entire dissatisfaction and indignation at the unfair and disproportionate penalty imposed by the Competition Committee on the club with the closing of the Entertainment Stand for five games,’ the club’s statement in response said.
Valencia CF wishes to officially denounce the fact that the RFEF Competition Committee’s conclusion contains data that disputes the claims of both LaLiga and the national police. Furthermore, this punishment was imposed without providing the club an opportunity to respond and was based on information we were not given access to.
“Valencia CF has denounced, denounces, and will denounce in the strongest possible terms any act of racism or violence.” We will fight against this highly disproportionate, unfair, and unprecedented approach because we believe that punishing and denying all the fans who weren’t part in these terrible situations the chance to witness their team is the right thing to do.
