Real Madrid claim LaLiga referee ‘voluntarily and deliberately’ ignored racism directed towards Vinicius Jnr in clash with Osasuna… as they refer him to Spanish FA and condemn the abuse

Real Madrid have filed a complaint against a LaLiga referee for allegedly ignoring racist abuse suffered by Vinicius Jnr. 

The Brazilian, 23, has shone for Los Blancos in recent years, but has heartbreakingly been the victim of several racist incidents in Spain.

And following the latest occurrence in a league game against Osasuna on Saturday, Real have accused referee Juan Martinez Munuera of ‘voluntarily and deliberately’ ignoring the abuse.

They claim he omitted the alleged racist insults in his match report on purpose, despite warnings from Real’s players when they were occuring.  

In a statement, Real condemned Munuera and said: ‘After the serious insults uttered, once again, against our player Vinicius Junior, in this case during the last League match played by our team at El Sadar (Osasuna home stadium), Real Madrid CF communicates the following. 

Real have alleged that Juan Martinez Munuera ‘voluntarily and deliberately’ ignored the abuse in their LaLiga clash with Osasuna, by omitting the supposed racist insults in his match report

‘Our club has filed a complaint with the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation against the match referee Juan Martínez Munuera, as a result of the negligent drafting of the referee’s report. 

‘This referee voluntarily and deliberately omitted the insults and humiliating shouts repeatedly directed towards our player Vinicius Junior, despite being warned insistently by our players at the same time they were occurring.

‘In addition, Real Madrid has also filed a complaint with this federative body in relation to the aforementioned insults and humiliating shouts, and has forwarded them to the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in the Sports, so that those who uttered them are identified and punished.’

They continued: ‘In light of these unfortunate events that occurred in El Sadar, Real Madrid has expanded the complaint that it presented last Friday, March 15, to the State Attorney General’s Office against crimes of hate and discrimination, for the racist and hateful insults directed towards our player Vinicius Junior in the vicinity of the Olympic stadium in Montjuic and the Metropolitan stadium in Madrid, requesting that the perpetrators be identified.

‘Real Madrid once again condemns these violent attacks of racism, discrimination and hatred, and demands that the necessary measures be taken, once and for all, in order to eradicate the violence that our player Vinicius Junior has been suffering.’

Vinicius scored twice during the clash on Saturday as Real won 4-2, although he was booked for dissent and is now suspended for their next LaLiga game.

The second part of Madrid’s statement was in relation to allegations of abhorrent chanting by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid supporters ahead of their Champions League ties against Napoli and Inter Milan respectively last week. 

A video on social media appeared to show Atletico Madrid fans chanting a racist slur about Vinicius, while Real alleged Barcelona fans conducted similar songs.

At the time Vinicius urged UEFA to take action, while Real filed a complaint with Spanish legal authorities.

The allegations over the past week are the latest of a number examples of Vinicius being subjected to racist abuse in recent times.

This included ahead of a clash against Atletico in September 2022, when Real’s arch-rivals condemned the ‘unacceptable’ chants towards the Brazilian.

Meanwhile, in June, four individuals were given a two-year stadium fan and fined €60,001 (£51,255) for hanging an effigy of Vinicius near to Real’s training ground.

Three other people were fined €5,000 (£4,271) for making racist gestures when Real played Valencia.

The story has continued this season, with Vinicius allegedly subject of further racism in games with Sevilla and Barcelona in October, and again against Valencia this month.

Speaking last week, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti insisted more has to be done to deal with the problem.

‘The problem is there, I believe it is,’ he said. ‘I am not going to change my opinion.

‘I think Valencia responded very well after their episode (with racism). It is others who have to act now. When we talk about zero tolerance, it is for us and for everyone.

‘I think it is necessary to act and eradicate these problems. They are very ugly things that affect everyone in our society. Criminals (who perpetuate racism) should not be out on the street, they should be somewhere else.’