It was another busy day for Vinicius Junior with La Liga chief Javier Tebas publicly apologizing to the Real Madrid man as his team showed incredible support ahead of their game on Wednesday. The 22-year-old missed the match against Rayo but saw his club show support numerous times after being racially abused in a 1-0 defeat to Valencia over the weekend. Vini Jr. was initially sent off in that loss before his suspension was overturned, but he missed the game against Santiago Bernabeu this midweek with an injury unrelated to the current situation.
Here’s what you need to know:
Why is Vini Jr. absent?
That reports The Athletic, he is injured and suffering from a problem with his left knee that could keep him out of the Rayo game. Sevilla could also be in doubt this weekend at a time when Real cannot afford to drop any more points as they battle to finish second to bitter rivals Atletico Madrid in the La Liga standings.
What did Javier Tebas say?
Tebas rarely stays out of the spotlight for long and he has jumped back in with an apology via ESPN Brazil where he denied trying to attack the Brazil international after Sunday’s incident in Valencia and Vini Jr. who called La Liga a league that “belongs to racists”.
“It was not my intention to attack Vinicius, but if people understood it that way, I have to apologize,” said the Spanish national coach. “That was not my intention, far from it. I was trying to clarify and explain a situation.”
Tebas went on to say that Vini Jr. twice did not appear to meet to discuss what La Liga “can do in cases of racism” adding: “Before criticizing and slandering La Liga, educate yourself.”
He also refuted the idea that Spain as a country and La Liga as a league are racist.
“Neither Spain nor La Liga are racist, it is very unfair to say that,” he said.
Did Vini’s Real teammates support him?
Absolute. Not only has Carlo Ancelotti been a rock in the surf for the young Brazilian, his teammates all showed up for the Rayo clash with Vini Jr. no. 20 shirts to show their support to their comrade. All of his fellow Real stars have not hesitated to speak publicly whenever possible to show their full support.
What about the fans?
The Real supporters also played their part by creating a giant tifo that stood with the South American who won them the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpoo last season.
“We are all Vinicius, enough is enough,” the tifo read.
The player himself appeared on the field to applaud despite his injury and both teams posed with a “racists, no football” sign for a 20-minute standing ovation that was warmly received by Vini Jr.