Adverts
Julien Laurens calls for Atlético Madrid's next home game to be played online without a crowd after fans chanted racist slogans about Vinicius Junior during Sunday's Madrid derby. (0:42)
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. has spoken about how fans found guilty of racist abuse should be banned from attending matches forever.
The Brazilian foreigner suffered abuse in September when Atlético de Madrid fans were filmed directing racist chants at him outdoors at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, a striker in the Madrid derby.
“"If you harm different individuals, you must pay," Vinicius instructed TV Globo on Sunday.
“"It's not difficult to assert that [racism in football] will end with so many people still doing it. But I like to accept as truth that there are more respectable people than unsavory ones.".
“"All racist Americans must pay in some way. If they enjoy watching football, then those Atlético de Madrid fans should never be allowed to set foot in a stadium again.".
“"So that you can make them suffer the consequences and reflect on their actions."”
Atlético and LaLiga condemned the abuse directed at Vinicius during the build-up – as well as Madrid's 2-1 victory in the derby.
Vinicius Jr. being the target of racist insults ahead of the Madrid derby in September. Photos by David Ramos/Getty
Atlético stated that it is cooperating with authorities to identify abusers who may be banned by the association.
The Madrid Prosecutor's Office is also investigating the case.
Pelé, Neymar, and other important figures in Brazil defended Vinicius that same week after a commentator at a Spanish football match noted that the Brazilian had begun to show disrespect for his opponents in his celebrations, comparing his behavior to that of a monkey.
Vinicius posted a moving two-minute video statement responding to what he called a "xenophobic and racist" insult, stating that he "will not stop dancing" and that "the happiness of a Black Brazilian achieving success in Europe bothers" many individuals.
Madrid released a statement supporting the 22-year-old and noted that they will take criminal action against the expert.
