“You’re Not Football, You’re Inhuman”: Vinicius Jr. reveals he has received death threats from opponents this season as he sues Spanish authorities for their handling of racial slurs aimed at him following Valencia’s disgrace
- Vinicius Jnr has labeled racists and death-threatening thugs as ‘inhumane’
- The Real Madrid star fell victim to vicious violence against Valencia on Sunday
- Vinicius posted a video showing the abuse he was subjected to
Vinicius Jr. has released a scathing statement insisting the racist and immoral abuse he has received while playing for Real Madrid this season is ‘inhumane’.
The Brazilian winger has been the target of racism and hate speech 10 times throughout the campaign, with racist chanting in Valencia on Sunday being another vicious example.
He has also received death threats from rival supporters during some away games with Madrid this season.
Vinicius’ LaLiga future is in doubt as the player, while committed to Madrid and has opened a hate crime trial in Mestalla, is reportedly evaluating his position in Spain.
The 22-year-old superstar has remained largely silent since the disturbing scenes that took place in Valencia on Sunday, but has now lashed out at perpetrators who tried to make his life a misery.
Vinicius Jr. made a scathing statement about the abuse he received this season alongside a shocking video
Real Madrid striker Vinicius was racially insulted on Sunday during the loss to Valencia
Atletico Madrid fans hung a doll of Vinicius from a bridge in the Spanish capital earlier this season, while chants in Valencia also told him to ‘die’.
The Madrid talent wrote online alongside a video showing all the separate incidents of abuse he has endured: “Every round away from home is an unpleasant surprise. And there were many this season.
‘Death wishes, hanged doll, lots of criminal cries… All recorded. But the speech always falls on “isolated cases”, “a fan”. No, these are not isolated cases. They are continuous episodes spread over different cities in Spain (and even in a television program).
The proof is in the video. Now I ask: how many of these racists had names and pictures posted on websites? I answer to make it easier: zero,’ he added.
“Nobody to tell a sad story or make those phony public apologies.” What is missing to criminalize these people? And sportingly punish clubs? Why don’t sponsors charge La Liga? Don’t televisions bother broadcasting this barbarism every weekend?
“The problem is very serious and communication has stopped working. Nor accuse me of justifying criminal acts. You’re not football, you’re inhuman.’
The post has since been viewed more than 7 million times on Twitter, and the accompanying video shows the astonishing extent of the abuse Vinicius endured while playing football.
Vinicius (center) took matters into his own hands after hearing the monkey chants in Valencia
The outrageous acts have been condemned by some of LaLiga’s most prominent figures, while others have attempted to downplay the nature of Vinicius’ complaints.
Federation president Javier Tebas was astonishingly adamant that Spanish football has no problem with racism and labeled Vinicius’ criticism as ‘unfair’.
Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Xavi issued a statement of support for the Brazilian flair player, accusing football of being “the only profession in which insults are accepted.”
Vinicius was also comforted by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who met with the player on Monday, where he explained how the club will defend him.