The President of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, has acknowledged that the country has a “serious problem” with racism after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jnr was targeted during their match against Valencia.
Vinicius Jnr was subjected to racist chants before and during the game at the Mestalla Stadium, where Real were beaten 1-0 by the hosts.
This incident is the latest in a series this season where the 22-year-old has been a victim of abuse.
Following the match, Vinicius Jnr strongly criticized LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation for their perceived lack of action to combat racism. The Brazilian player declared that Spanish football has reached a new low, especially considering its previous reputation as a league envied by Europe.
During a press conference, Rubiales admitted that Spanish football has a “serious problem” and pledged to work tirelessly to address this issue.
‘We have a behavioral problem, of education, of racism,’ Rubiales said.
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‘As long as there is a single undesirable or a group of undesirables that insults by sexual condition, skin colour, or creed, we have a serious problem.
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‘Vinicius Jnr and any footballer, woman or man, who suffers an insult, any violent act, has my support and that of the entire RFEF because we are here to help and ask them to help us improve.
‘The objective that we have set ourselves is that as soon as possible Vinicius and the rest of the footballers, women and men, who have suffered this at some point can publicly say that it is no longer a problem in Spain.
‘Hopefully, this day will come as soon as possible and for this, we will work tirelessly.’
Vinicius Jnr had claimed that ‘racism is normal in LaLiga’ following the match, declaring that ‘Spain is known as a country of racists’ in his home country Brazil.
‘The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I’m so sorry,’ he wrote.
