Real Madrid has denounced the use of racist language to denigrate forward Vin├нcius J├║nior. The Brazilian has been the focus of a debate in Spanish sports talk shows and sports news programs about the appropriateness of him dancing when he scores goals.
But Madrid was moved to issue a statement in defense of its player after a guest on a televised sports talk show reportedly said Vin├нcius, who is Black, should stop тАЬdoing the monkey.тАЭ
The club said in the statement on Friday that it тАЬrejects all types of racist and xenophobic expression and behavior in soccer, sports and life in general, such as the regrettable and unfortunate comments in recent hours directed toward our player Vin├нcius J├║nior.тАЭ
The club added it would take legal action against anyone who used racist language against its player.
The debate regarding Vin├нciusтАЩ goal celebrations was sparked after Atl├йtico Madrid’s Koke Resurrecci├│n said тАЬthere could be troubleтАЭ if the Madrid forward dances after a goal on Sunday in the Madrid derby to be played at Atl├йticoтАЩs stadium.
Koke appeared to make the comment in jest, but it has been widely commented on. Even Brazil star Neymar chimed in on social media by tweeting, тАЬDance Vini Jr.тАЭ
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
