Laura Woods wades in on Vinicius Jr racism with swipe at "pathetic" LaLiga chief
Laura Woods has criticised LaLiga's president Javier Tebas for his response to the appalling racism Vinicius Junior suffered on Sunday.
Vinicius was racially abused by home supporters during the game between Valencia and Real Madrid at the Mestalla. The Brazilian has called on LaLiga to take action against the racists, but Tebas has astonishingly told Vinicius to "inform yourself properly".
The player has accused Tebas of launching an "attack" at him rather than criticising the racists. Woods has called Tebas "pathetic" and believes it's down to LaLiga and the game's authorities to tackle the problem, urging the likes of Tebas to "look at themselves".
Woods reacted to the incident on talkSPORT on Monday. She said: "It is massive contempt. The softest way of saying it is almost 'whataboutery'. How come you didn’t do this? You are basically saying you were supposed to attend a couple of meetings and didn’t.
"Vinicius Jr basically came out and said, 'I'm not the one to fix this, this is something the authorities have to fix and they have to do it'. They are rapidly losing faith."
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Woods added: "The racism is at the heart of this, the racism is the problem. Everything else that spouts off besides it and around it is not the problem. It’s down to LaLiga and the authorities to do something about this.
The Brazil international was racially abused on Sunday (Getty Images)Do you agree with Laura Woods? Let us know in the comments below!
"Carlo Ancelotti came out and said the referee should have stopped the game. For Vinicius Jr, you forget he’s only 22. It’s a hell of a lot for a 22-year-old to deal with, not only to deal with racist behaviour from fans within a football ground and also himself feel like he’s on his own fighting this.
"22 years old and then to have the president of LaLiga to come out in such a pathetic manner... they have to look at themselves before they point the blame at anyone else."
Vinicius reacted to the shocking abuse he received after Sunday's game. He tweeted: "It wasn't the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in LaLiga. The competition thinks it's normal, the federation does too and the opponents encourage it.
Javier Tebas has faced criticism for his controversial take (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)"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 defence. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here."
Tebas replied: "Since those who should not explain to you what it is and what it can do LaLiga in cases of 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 criticising and insulting LaLiga, it is necessary that you inform yourself properly Vinicius. Do not let yourself be manipulated and make sure you fully understand each other's competencies and the work we have been doing together."
Yet Vinicius hit back. He wrote: "Once again, instead of criticising racists, the president of LaLiga appears on social media to attack me. As much as you talk and pretend not to read, the image of your championship is shaken.
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"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."
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