La Liga president Javier Tebas has apologised to Vinícius Júnior through Brazil’s ESPN television station.
La Liga chairman Tebas: “I didn’t want to attack Vinícius”
He did this in response to earlier statements he made on Twitter. He then quoted a tweet from Vinícius and wrote that it is unfair to label Spain or the league as racist. “You should inform yourself a little better before you speak out,” he said in his plea.
On Wednesday, just before Real Madrid’s match against Rayo Vallecano, which finished without the shaken Vinícius, Tebas apologised. “I think that a significant part of the people, especially in Brazil, did not understand the message and the intention that I had. I didn’t mean to attack Vinicius, but if most people have taken it that way, then I apologise,” he said.
“If I’ve hurt anyone, if people thought I’m racist myself, that’s far from the truth,” Tebas added. “We denounce racists, we don’t want racism in football.”
Real Madrid players show their support for teammate Vinícius
The Real Madrid players showed their support on Wednesday evening for teammate Vinícius Júnior, who was racially abused in the away match against Valencia on Sunday.
Real will play Rayo Vallecano at home on Wednesday, without Vinícius, by the way, and the players of Los Blancos all entered the field with a shirt from their Brazilian teammate. “Today we are all number 20,” Real wrote on the social media channels, referring to Vinícius’ jersey number.
The supporters had made a large banner with a statement of support for Vinícius. “Vinícius belongs to all of us. Enough is enough,” it said.
Vinícius received a red card on Sunday after he had slapped opponent Hugo Duro in the face. However, the RFEF competition committee decided not to suspend the Real Madrid striker, as Vinícius had been subjected to constant racist abuse by Valencia supporters before doing so.
Real Madrid despite waived red card rested Vinicius
Vinícius Júnior, however, will not play against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday. Despite the fact that his red card against Valencia was dropped. The attacker is not in Real Madrid’s match selection.
Real Madrid is already assured of Champions League football for next season, but is still fighting for second place with Atlético Madrid in the last three rounds.
