Valencia to appeal against ‘unfair’ sanctions following racist abuse of Vinicius

SANCTIONS: Valencia have been hit with a five-game partial stadium closure following the racist abuse of Vinicius Junior. Pic: Nick Potts/PA

Valencia will appeal against their five-game partial stadium closure and hefty fine following the racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, calling the sanction “unfair and disproportionate”.

Vinicius threatened to leave the pitch in the second half of Sunday’s LaLiga match at the Mestalla after being subjected to alleged monkey chants from the crowd and Real Madrid, who said the incident constituted a “hate crime”, filed a complaint with the Spanish State Attorney General’s Office.