You’re also racist – Vinicius Jr fires Javier Tebas, ‘I’m not your friend to talk about racism’

Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr has fired back at La Liga president Javier Tebas following racist incidents at Valencia. The fleet-footed winger was sent off in added time for pushing a hand in the face of Hugo Duro. This was after the Brazilian identified those who were directing racist chants at him leading to the match being stopped for some time with the supporters warned to change their behaviour.

After the match, Vinicius Jr took to Twitter to express his feelings saying the league that once belong to greats such as his countrymen Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is now one that is for the racists. He blamed the league for not doing enough to stop racism.

“It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I’m so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] Messi today belongs to racists. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world. I’m sorry for the Spaniards who don’t agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. And unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defence. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here,” he said on Twitter.

However, La Liga president Javier Tebas responded to the tweet insinuating that Vinicius needs to take responsibility and learn more about what the league can do about racism.

“We have tried to explain it to you, but you have not shown up for either of the two agreed dates that you requested yourself. Before criticizing and insulting La Liga, it is necessary that you inform yourself properly Vinicius Jr. Do not let yourself be manipulated and make sure you fully understand each other’s competencies and the work we have been doing together.”

But that did not sit well with the 22-year-old winger as he responded with more jabs directed at the La Liga boss.

“Once again, instead of criticizing racists, the president of La Liga appears on social media to attack me. As much as you talk and pretend not to read, the image of your championship is shaken. See the responses to your posts and have a surprise… Omitting yourself only makes you equal to racists. I’m not your friend to talk about racism. I want actions and punishments. Hashtag doesn’t move me.”

Racism in football has been rampant in some places. Whereas other leagues offer stiffer punishment to racists, they have a free holiday in others. Players in the Premier League united against racism by taking a knee before every match. That has been done since 2020 and the Premier League in March banned a fan from all UK stadiums for racially abusing Brentford forward Ivan Toney.