La Liga acts on racist abuse of Vinicius Junior amid call for Atletico fans to be banned

Madrid’s mayor says those responsible should be banned for life

STANDING FIRM: Vinicius Junior says dancing “celebrates the cultural diversity of the world,” and added: “Accept it, respect me, I’m not going to stop.”  Picture: Robert Perry/PA 

La Liga will deliver a formal report to the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee and the state’s anti-violence commission, denouncing the racist abuse directed at the Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior by Atletico Madrid fans before Sunday’s derby. The mayor of the city, Jose Luis Martínez-Almeida, has expressed his desire that those responsible are identified and not allowed to return to football stadiums in Spain.

A group of fans were filmed chanting “Vinicius is a monkey” before the game at the Metropolitano stadium on Sunday night. Although the incident that was caught on camera occurred outside the ground, La Liga will include it in the report on fan behaviour that it prepares and delivers to the anti-violence commission for it to act upon each week.