Atletico Madrid supporters have been caught on film singing a racist song about Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior ahead of the club’s derby clash on Sunday evening.
Vinicius made a firm statement on Saturday decrying racism in Spanish football after agent Pedro Bravo said the Brazil star needed to "stop playing the monkey", in reference to his dancing goal celebrations. The comments, made on late night football talk show El Chiringuito, were followed by supportive comments from the likes of Neymar and Pele and sparked a discussion about racism in Spanish society.
The problems clearly run deep, with a video from Spanish outlet Tiempo de Juego showing some Atleti fans singing "you are a monkey, Vinicius you are a monkey" before the La Liga clash with Real Madrid at 8pm on Sunday evening.
The disgusting racism comes just two days after Real released a statement condemning the abuse Vinicius has suffered over the past week. In a statement on Friday, the club said: “Real Madrid C. F. condemns all types of racist and xenophobic language and behaviour in football, sport and life in general, such as the regrettable and unfortunate comments made against our player Vinicius Junior in the last few hours.
“Real Madrid would like to express its affection and support for Vinicius Junior, a player who regards football as an attitude towards life through joy, respect and sportsmanship. Football is the most global sport there is and should be a model of values and coexistence.
“The club has directed its legal services to take legal action against anyone who makes racist remarks towards our players.”
Real’s statement was followed by one from Vinicius himself. He wrote: "As long as the colour of the skin is more important than the brightness of the eyes, there will be war. I have that phrase tattooed onto my body. I have that thought permanently in my head. That is the attitude and the philosophy that I try to put into practice in my life. They say that happiness bothers others. The happiness of a victorious black Brazilian in Europe bothers them much more.
"But my desire to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that. You can't even imagine it. I was a victim of xenophobia and racism in a single statement. But that did not start yesterday.
"Weeks ago they began to criminalise my dances. Dances that are not mine. They belong to Ronaldinho, Neymar, [Lucas] Paqueta, [Antoine] Griezmann, Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha... they belong to Brazilian funk and samba artists, reggaeton singers, and black Americans. They are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it, respect it. I'm not going to stop dancing.
“I come from a country where poverty is everywhere, where people have no access to education... and in many cases, no food on the table! I don't usually come publicly to refute criticism. They attack me and I don't speak. They praise me and I don't speak either. I work! I work a lot.
"On and off the pitch. I have developed an application to help the education of children in public schools without financial help from anyone. I am making a school with my name. I will do much more for education. I want the next generations to be prepared, like me, to fight against racists and xenophobes.
"I always try to be a professional and an exemplary citizen. But that doesn't click, it's not trending on the internet, nor does it motivate cowards to talk aggressively about people they don't even know.
"The script always ends with an apology and "I've been misunderstood. But I repeat it for you, racist: I will not stop dancing. Whether at the Sambadrome, at the Bernabeu or wherever. With the love and smiles of someone who is very happy, Vini Jr. #BAILAVINIJR."
