Harsh punishment for racism towards Vinícius! La Liga closes Valencia’s sector for 5 matches and adds a million fine

Racism will no longer be tolerated and will be severely punished. This is the message that La Liga has sent out to the world by punishing Valencia. The latter will appeal against the harsh sanctions.

The events of Valencia’s match against Real Madrid on Sunday have taken the world by storm. Not because of the result, however, but because of the racist abuse and chanting against Vinícius Junior.

It certainly wasn’t the first time Vinícius has had to endure something like this, La Liga has already reported nine cases of racism to the police, with several fans already being denied access to the stadium. But it was not enough and the Brazilian was still the subject of disgusting insults.

The entire Valencia sector was chanting “Mono”, meaning “monkey”, and that’s way over the line. After the game there was such a wave of solidarity with Vinícius and such a fight against racism that La Liga had no choice but to punish him severely.

So the competition committee decided to give Valencia an exemplary penalty for insults and racist gestures towards Vinícius. The federation has announced that the Mario Kempes stand, where the insults came from and where fans were caught on video making monkey shouts and displacements, will be closed for 5 matches. In addition, Valencia must pay 45 000 euros (1 million crowns).

In its statement, the competition committee continues to confirm that it will fight hard against racism. It also says that Article 15.1 of the Disciplinary Regulations assigns responsibility to the clubs that organise matches for violent, racist, xenophobic and intolerant chants or insults that also alter the course of those matches.

Valencia, however, disagrees with this harsh punishment and has accepted the decision with great indignation. According to the club, the punishment is unfair and excessive.

“Valencia CF wishes to express its total disagreement and indignation at the unfair and disproportionate sanction imposed by the Competition Committee on the club by closing the Grada de Animación for five matches. Valencia CF wishes to publicly denounce the fact that in this resolution of the RFEF Competition Committee it presents evidence that contradicts what the National Police and LaLiga claim. Moreover, this sanction is based on evidence that the club has not had the opportunity to see and without giving us the opportunity to be heard,” Valencia said in a statement.

Source: Valencia CF, La Liga