Real Madrid file complaint against 'negligent' La Liga referee following ‘deliberate’ ignoring of racist abuse aimed at Vinicius Jr

The Brazil international was subjected to more racist taunts during a meeting with Osasuna. Certain members of the home support aimed “Die, Vinicius” chants in the direction of the Blancos’ South American forward during that contest.

Said incidents were not included in the report filed by match referee Juan Martinez Munuera, leaving Real frustrated at a supposed lack of action from those that should be tackling the issue of discriminatory behaviour in the Spanish game.

Real Madrid have said in a statement on the club’s official website: “Our club has filed a complaint with the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee regarding the match referee Juan Martinez Munuera, owing to the negligent drafting of the refereeing report. The official omitted, in voluntary and deliberate fashion, the insults and humiliating chants directed towards our player on a repeated basis, despite his attention being drawn to them continually by our players as they were happening. Furthermore, Real Madrid has filed a complaint with the same Federative body in relation to the cited insults and humiliating chants, and has reported them to the State Commission Against Violence and Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport, in order for those responsible to be identified and sanctioned.

“In light of these unacceptable events at El Sadar, Real Madrid has added to the complaint filed before the General State Prosecutor on Friday the 15th of March regarding hate and discrimination offences pertaining to the racist and hateful abuse aimed at our player Vinicius Junior in the areas surrounding the Montjuic Olympic Stadium and the Metropolitano Stadium, calling for the perpetrators to be identified. Real Madrid once again condemns these violent attacks of racism, discrimination and hate and demands that measures finally be taken in order to eradicate the violence to which our player Vinicius Junior has been subjected.”

Vinicius has shared a video on social media of Atletico Madrid fans aiming racist abuse in his direction ahead of a Champions League game with Inter, while Barcelona supporters also chanted “Die, Vinicius” prior to their European clash with Napoli. The 23-year-old winger has been relentlessly targeted by racist slurs across the last two seasons, with calls for action continuing to fall on deaf ears.