Vinícius Junior has applauded Sevilla for moving swiftly to report and deport a supporter who had racially abused the Real Madrid forward during their 1-1 LaLiga draw on Saturday. The man had also been ejected by the club.
After Vinicius, a Brazil international, got into a fight with some Sevilla players in the 86th minute at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium, pictures emerged of a spectator making a racial gesture against Vincius.
Vincius has endured numerous racial epithets from opposing fans, and earlier this month he testified in the prosecution of three Valencia supporters who are accused of racial epithets against him in May.
Shortly after Saturday’s game, Sevilla reported that “xenophobic and racist behavior was detected,” and that “a member of the public was identified, ejected from the stadium, and handed over to legal authorities.”
“The individual will also be subject to the club’s vigorous internal disciplinary protocols and have their membership revoked,” Sevilla said in a statement.
“Sevilla FC condemns all racist and xenophobic behaviour and will work closely with the authorities to ensure that action is taken accordingly. This behaviour does not belong at Sevilla FC.”
Vinicius addressed the event on social media later on Saturday.
The player also claimed to have witnessed a video of another young fan insulting him ethnically, which his reps shared with ESPN.
“Congratulations to Sevilla for acting quickly and for the punishment in another sad episode for Spanish football,” Vinícius said.
“Unfortunately I have access to a video of another racist act at this Saturday’s game, this time carried out by a child. It’s so sad that there is no one to educate her. I invest, and I invest a lot, in education in Brazil to train citizens with different attitudes.
“The face of today’s racist has been published on websites as on several other occasions,” he said. “I hope the Spanish authorities do their part and make changes to legislation once and for all. These people need to be criminally punished too.
“It would be a great first step to prepare for the 2030 World Cup [that Spain will co-host]. I am here to help. Sorry to sound repetitive but it’s episode number 19. And counting.”
Including the incident at Mestalla, LaLiga recorded and reported eight instances of racist abuse directed against Vinicius throughout the 2022–23 season.
Local prosecutors chose not to file charges in a handful of instances, nevertheless.
“There’s no place for racist or hateful behaviour in sport,” the league posted on social media on Saturday. “LALIGA vehemently condemns any racist acts and will continue working to eradicate this inexcusable behaviour from our sport.”