Rabat – FC Barcelona has announced a thorough investigation into allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid’s Brazilian star Vinicius Jr, during the El Clasico showdown between the two teams on Saturday.
The probe is the latest response to a disturbing trend of racial discrimination that has marred football games in Spain.
“FC Barcelona will always defend the values of football and sport, such as respect for the opponent, and we will investigate any racist insult that may have occurred,” the club’s statement said.
Real Madrid managed to clinch a last-minute 2-1 victory, with English star Jude Bellingham shooting the decisive strike in the dying moments at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
The incident has also caught the attention of La Liga, which has pledged to identify and bring charges against the individuals responsible for the racial insults. In a statement released on social media, the league affirmed its commitment to addressing racism in the sport.
Vinicius Jr, who endured similar abuse during last season, has been a vocal advocate against racism in football. Just last week, he commended Sevilla for promptly ejecting and reporting a fan who allegedly racially abused him.
Back in May, Valencia fans also racially abused the Brazilian by calling him “a monkey” at the Estadio Mestalla.
The incident triggered an intense debate about racism within the sport and within Spain’s top-flight league, leading the president of Spain’s football federation to acknowledge that the country has a profound problem with racism.
