Valencia have been sanctioned with a partial stadium closure for five matches following the racist abuse of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has fined Valencia 45,000 euros (£39,000) and ordered the closure of the south stand at the Mestalla Stadium, where Vinicius was subjected to racial abuse during a match on Sunday.
Vinicius’ late red card has been rescinded, meaning he will not have to serve a suspension.
Valencia called the decision to partially close their stadium “disproportionate, unjust and unprecedented” and said they intend to appeal against that part of the sanction.
Real has reported the abuse towards Vinicius to the Spanish prosecutor’s office as a hate crime.
A number of Brazilians protested outside the Spanish consulate on Tuesday. Spanish government spokeswoman Isabel Rodriguez said: “Spain is fighting this behaviour. We condemn it and we are working to eradicate it.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said Brazilian Vinicius is “very sad” but overwhelmed by the support he has received and believes he will stay in Spain despite the abuse.
La Liga teams make stand against racism
Barcelona player Raphinha revealed a shirt showing solidarity with Vinicius Jr as he was substituted off during a match on Tuesday night
Before Tuesday night’s games between Real Valladolid and Barcelona, and Celta Vigo and Girona, players and match officials stood behind banners which read “Racism, out of football”.
Vinicius has been the target of racist abuse multiple times this season and, following the latest incident, has received support from the footballing world.
And there has been widespread condemnation of how the incident has been handled, including from the Brazilian government.
Before the match, Vinicius and La Liga president Javier Tebas were involved in a row on Twitter, after the Brazilian said La Liga “belongs to racists” and “in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists”.
Tebas responded by saying Vinicius twice did not turn up for a meeting to discuss what it “can do in cases of racism”, adding: “Before you criticise and slander La Liga, you need to inform yourself properly.”