Spanish football club, Valencia has been penalized by the Spanish Football Federation for the racial insults Vinicius Junior received during the match.
Valencia Club de Fútbol has been fined €45,000 euros by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and instructed to partially close their stadium for five matches following instances of racist insults aimed at Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid.
The Real Madrid forward has also had his red card overturned following the decisions of the referees after the match, meaning he will be free to play for Real at home against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday. The 22-year-old had been sent off in injury-time of the game following a brawl with an opponent.
The Spanish club in response to a statement by the RFEF, described the punishment as “totally disproportionate and unfair”.
The RFEF statement states,
“The Competition Committee has sanctioned Valencia CF with the partial closure of the Mestalla stadium for five matches, more specifically the Mario Kempes south stand, following the events that occurred during the match between the home team and Real Madrid CF.”
“It is considered proven that, as reflected by the referee in his minutes, there were racist shouts at Vinicius, a Real Madrid CF player, during the aforementioned match, altering the normal course of the match and considering the infractions very serious.”
“In addition, an economic sanction of 45,000 euros is imposed on Valencia.”
“It is possible to file an appeal, within 10 working days, before the Appeals Committee.”
Responding to the sanction, Valencia said in a statement: “Valencia CF wishes to show its total disagreement and indignation at the unfair and disproportionate penalty imposed by the Competition Committee on the club with the closure of the Entertainment Stand for five games”.
“Valencia CF wants to publicly denounce that in this resolution of the RFEF Competition Committee they show evidence that contradicts what the national police and LaLiga say. In addition, this sanction is based on evidence that the club has not been able to see and without giving us a hearing.”
“Valencia CF has condemned, condemns and will condemn in the most energetic way any act of racism or violence. For this reason we consider that penalizing and depriving all the fans who were not involved in these unfortunate incidents from seeing their team is a totally disproportionate, unfair and unprecedented measure against which we will fight.”
