Real Madrid players offer support to Vinicius Jr after racist abuse

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Real Madrid players showed their support for their teammate Vinicius Jr on Wednesday after the Brazilian star forward was targeted with racist abuse last weekend.

Ahead of a Spanish La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, all Real Madrid players appeared in Vinicius Jr's No. 20 shirt in a show of solidarity.

Vinicius Jr appeared on the pitch in a casual outfit to thank everyone who supports him.

Both Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano players also held a red banner that said "Racists, out of football," as part of a campaign launched by the Spanish football body RFEF on Tuesday.

In the 20th minute of the match, the fans applauded Vinicius Jr to show their solidarity.

A huge banner in the stands behind the goal read: "We are all Vinicius, enough is enough."

Real Madrid won the match 2-1, with Karim Benzema and Rodrygo Goes the scorers.

A Real Madrid forward since 2018, Vinicius Jr, 22, was targeted with racial slurs during a La Liga match at Valencia's Mestalla Stadium.

A group of fans were clearly heard calling Vinicius a "monkey," a racist trope used to insult Black people.

Clubs and players posted solidarity messages to the Brazilian football player.

Valencia also "strongly condemned" the racist act against Vinicius, pledging action against the suspects at Mestalla and opening a disciplinary case.

Meanwhile, Mestalla Stadium will be partially closed for the next five matches, said the RFEF.

Valencia was also fined €45,000 ($48,525).

Spanish police arrested three young people in Valencia for allegedly committing hate crimes against the Real Madrid star.