"We must eliminate these despicable attacks" - La Liga president recalls Cristiano Ronaldo example when speaking about the Vinicius Jr issue
La Liga president Javier Tebas shared a piece of advice for Vinicius Junior by recalling an incident involving Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid attacker was the subject of vile racist chants during Los Blancos' recent 1-0 defeat against Valencia.
Vinicius was also sent off in the injury time of the game for a melee between the players. The issue has become a much-discussed one in the football community. Tebas has now shared a piece of advice for the young attacker by recalling that Cristiano Ronaldo was also the subject of homophobic chants during his time at Real Madrid.
The La Liga president wrote on Twitter:
"We have been aware of the racist problem against @vinijr for a long time and we have acted with the powers we have: special measures in the games where he played, presentation of nine complaints, police collaboration with identifications. And we say it clearly: we want more skills to be more effective."
He added:
"Global cracks are the target of targeted hate attacks. It happened to Cristiano Ronaldo with homophobic shouting and it happens to Vinicius with racist insults. We must eliminate these despicable attacks that also affect our best players."
Tebas further claimed:
"The solution is not to call all of Spanish society racist and for everything to be diluted in a few days. It is false that LaLiga, its clubs, its fans are racist. The only effective solution goes through competitions, disciplinary resources, institutional collaboration and expel hate from football."
Many footballers around the world including Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Bale, Ronaldo Nazario, and Raheem Sterling, among others, have stood up with Vinicius Junior in his fight against racism.
Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior made a Cristiano Ronaldo claim after recent racist attack
Vinicius Junior was furious with the treatment that he received from the fans during the La Liga clash against Valencia at the Mestalla. This is not the first time that the youngster has been the subject of such attacks.
He took to Twitter after the match to unleash his frustration. Vinicius claimed that the Spanish league, which once belonged to legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, has now been taken over by racists.
The Brazilian wrote on Twitter:
"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 and 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 defense. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here."
Cristiano Ronaldo's sister Katia Aveiro also reacted to the Vinicius Junior saga as she posted about the Brazilian on her Instagram story. The issue has emerged as a serious one in the football world.