Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez defends Vinicius after racism incident against Valencia

My Football Facts ⇒ Articles

By Martin Graham | 24th May 2023

Xavi, the manager of Barcelona, stands by Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr. after the Brazilian was subjected to racial taunts, claiming that football is the “only profession where insults are accepted.” Racist chants directed against the Brazilian were heard during Real Madrid’s LaLiga match against Valencia on Sunday at the Mestalla.

The crowd was warned that the game would be suspended if they did not stop the chanting, therefore the game was stopped for a while.

After a confrontation with Valencia attacker Hugo Duro during stoppage time of Real Madrid’s loss, he was later dismissed and appeared dejected as he left the field.

Xavi says Vinicus insult is unacceptable

“It is the only profession in which insults are accepted. I don’t see any baker or teacher being insulted at work.”

“All this has to be stopped. Try insulting a building worker. I’m sure a brick will fall on your head. It doesn’t matter what shirt you wear. Vinicius is a person before he is a footballer.”

“We have to defend the football professional. I don’t understand as a person, as a citizen, that you have to put up with insults.”

Vinicus and Tebas have a go on social media

Following the game, Vinicius Jr. shared his thoughts on Twitter, saying that LaLiga now “belongs to racists.”

“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,’ he added.

“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.”

The LaLiga president hit back on social media and has since defended the Spanish FA and the governing body.

He stated that “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,” he replied.

In addition to that statement, he has further refuted claims that these statements by Vinicius aren’t true.

In another just released comment he said: “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.”

Vinicius Jr responded by calling for ‘action and punishments’ but Tebas has continued to defend LaLiga’s record in dealing with racism on social media.

“Neither Spain nor LaLiga are racist, it is very unfair to say that” Tebas added.

“From LaLiga we denounce and persecute racism with all the harshness within our powers. This season racist insults have been reported 9 times (8 of them have been for insults against @vinijr). We always identify the madmen and file the complaint with the sanctioning bodies. It doesn’t matter how few they are, we are always relentless.”

Valencia have ‘strongly condemned’ the racist shouts directed against Vinicius and has threatened to expel any supporters found to be guilty for the incidents for life.

After Vinicius was subjected to racial taunts during Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory against Mallorca, LaLiga filed a lawsuit.

More recently, fans heckled the forward during Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Barcelona at the Nou Camp. As a result, LaLiga filed their ninth complaint with the authorities and established a special complaints channel where fans can report abusers.