24 May 2023 , 17:35
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LaLiga president Javier Tebas has apologised to Vinicius Junior and insisted he is not a racist after his comments to the Real Madrid star sparked an outcry.
Vinicius was sent off against Valencia on Sunday at the end of a match marred by racist chanting from the stands. He later claimed LaLiga “belongs to the racists” after he was subjected to yet another round of racism.
Valencia have been fined €45,000 (£39,000) and ordered to part-close their stadium for five matches, while three people have been arrested by Spanish police. Vinicius, who had his red card rescinded, has frequently criticised the lack of action from LaLiga and Tebas hit back by attacking the 22-year-old victim on Twitter.
Quote-tweeting Vinicius’ statement on racism, Tebas wrote: “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 @Vinijr . Do not let yourself be manipulated and make sure you fully understand each other's competencies and the work we have been doing together.”
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Tebas’ decision to hit out at the victim of racist abuse prompted a backlash and the 60-year-old has now issued a grovelling apology for his actions. “Here is an issue that I always say to my [communications] team: when many people understand the message in a way, they are right. So, I have to apologise,” he told ESPN, in comments translated from Spanish.
Vinicius Junior was racially abused by Valencia fans (Ivan Terron/REX/Shutterstock)"I think that the message, and the intention I had, a significant amount [of people], especially in Brazil, did not understand. I did not want to attack Vinicius, but if most people understood it that way, I need to apologise.
“It was not my intention. I expressed myself badly, at a bad time... But I had no intention of attacking Vinicius, but rather clarifying a situation, because Vinicius had recorded a video supporting LaLiga 's actions.”
He added: "If I hurt someone, they thought I was racist, it's far from reality. As I said before, we denounced people (who committed racism), we did it because we don't want racism in football.
Javier Tebas has come under fire for his response to Vinicius Junior (Ben McShane/Getty Images)"And more: we don't want racism with a player who is going to be, who is a world star like Vinicius.”
Vinicius has received widespread support from the football community, with Rio Ferdinand, Raphael Varane and Kylian Mbappe backing him. Ferdinand tweeted: “Just step down now! Disgusting, embarrassing, so out of touch that I can’t actually believe this guy is allowed to write his own social posts.”
Valencia are unhappy with LaLiga’s decision to partially close their stadium for future matches. The club called the decision "disproportionate, unjust and unprecedented" and said they intend to appeal against that part of the sanction.