Vinicius Junior, a Real Madrid forward, claimed that “La Liga belongs to racists” after experiencing further racial taunts from opposing supporters during a game.
In the 97th minute of Valencia’s 1-0 La Liga loss, the 22-year-old international from Brazil was dismissed for violent behaviour following an argument with Hugo Duro.
Vinicius made an angry attempt to alert the referee to Valencia supporters earlier in the game.
“The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists,” Vinicius wrote on Instagram.
“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.
“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.”
Valencia has identified the two fans who racially harassed Vinicius and is likely to impose a long-term stadium ban on them. This season, Vinicius has received numerous racial insults as a target.
La Liga said in a statement it would investigate and take “appropriate legal action” if a hate crime was identified, calling on people to submit any relevant footage.
Writing on Twitter, La Liga president Javier Tebas said Vinicius twice did not turn up for a meeting to discuss what it “can do in cases of racism”.
“Before you criticise and slander La Liga you need to inform yourself properly,” Tebas said.
Vinicius criticised the post for targeting him instead of the “racists”, saying he wanted La Liga to take “actions and punishments”.
He was ushered away by team-mates and Valencia players, before being spoken to by referee Ricardo de Burgos and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Vinicius was later sent off for the first time in La Liga for his involvement in a mass altercation between the two sets of players.
Ancelotti said: “What we saw today is unacceptable – an entire stadium chanting racist slurs.
“I don’t want to talk about football today. There is no meaning in talking about football today. I told the referee he should have stopped the match.
“La Liga has a problem. For me, Vinicius is the most important player in the world. These episodes of racism have to stop the match.
