Spanish FA Overturns Vincius Red Card, Slams Valencia With Partial Stadium Closure

The Spanish FA has overturned the red card that was shown to Vinicius Jr and hit Valencia with a partial stadium closure after the Real Madrid forward was racially abused on Sunday.

The Brazilian winger, 22, was subjected to racist chants from the home fans at the Mestalla Stadium.

He was also sent off in the dying embers of the match by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.

However, the Spanish FA announced that it had officially overturned Vincius Jr’s red card. And they also confirmed that Valencia had been fined €45,000 (£40,000) for the behaviour of their fans and will be forced to close the stand where the abusive chants originated for five matches.

A statement from the Spanish Football Federation reads: “The competition committee has sanctioned Valencia CF with the partial closure of the Mestalla stadium for five matches, more specifically the Mario Kempes south stand, following the events that occurred during the First Division National League Championship match between the local team and Real Madrid CF.

“It is considered proven that, as reflected by the referee in his minutes, there were racist shouts at Vinicius, a Real Madrid CF player, during the aforementioned match, altering the normal course of the match and considering the infractions very serious.

“In addition, an economic sanction of 45,000 euros is imposed on Valencia.”

The harrowing scenes were slammed by Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti after the match, who questioned the lack of action from the relevant authorities.

“We have been complaining about this abuse all season and nothing!” the Italian said referencing the previous occasions that Vinicius Jr has been abused this season. “It has reached the point where the manager must consider taking off his player because the game is not being stopped. There is something wrong with this league if this happens.”

Vinicius Jr also hit out at the abuse after the match. He wrote on Twitter, as translated by Goal : “It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the [Spanish Football] Federation does too and the opponents encourage it.