In a disturbing turn of events during the Copa Del Rey semifinal between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid, the match was briefly halted due to racist taunts directed at Vinicius Junior. The incident occurred when a spectator was seen making a monkey gesture towards the Brazilian winger, a recurring issue in his career in Spain.

Encounter with Racism

This match also marked Vinicius Junior’s debut as captain for the club, amidst the abusive comments. Reports also indicated that another player, Raul Asencio, was targeted with chants that were also condemned by stadium officials.

After warnings were issued to the fans for cessation of their behavior, the referee temporarily suspended the match, activating La Liga’s racism protocol. This is a seldom-utilized measure in La Liga’s regulations despite frequent occurrences in the sport.

Vinicius Junior expressed his positive sentiments on social media, emphasizing the joy of playing in significant matches despite the toxicity faced. Below is a snippet from his Instagram post:

“Living unforgettable moments with the club of my dreams!”

Overall, Real Madrid managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory with a goal from Endrick, but the incidents have raised important questions about racism in sports, particularly in La Liga.