Valencia threatens Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, claims the team will take legal action if he doesn’t rectify claims of racist chants by the Mestalla

The Spanish club has asked him to retract his statement which claimed that the whole stadium participated in racist chants.

Valencia threatens Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, claims the team will take legal action if he doesn’t rectify claims of racist chants by the Mestalla

Rodrygo in action against Valencia (Credit: Football Espana)

Valencia has requested that Real Madrid forward Rodrygo retract his statement alleging that the entire crowd at Mestalla stadium directed racist chants toward Vinicius Junior. Failure to do it could result in potential legal consequences.

Following the LaLiga game on May 21, three fans were charged for racially abusing Vinicius. There was widespread condemnation and demands for stronger actions against racism in Spanish football.

YouTube video

Rodrygo, during a press conference with the Brazilian team, reiterated the claim initially made by coach Carlo Ancelotti after the match. This was later modified by Ancelotti.

FS Video

“A lot of people say that Spain is racist. I don’t think Spain is a racist country,” Rodrygo said. “There are racist people, but the country itself isn’t [racist].“

“I was at Mestalla, I saw the entire stadium shouting ‘monkey.’ It happens to me, I’m Black too. Sometimes I don’t see it, but on that occasion Vini did … When I saw what had really happened, it made me very sad. It was a difficult day,” the Brazilian explained.

In an official statement released on Thursday, Valencia replied to these statements. The club, in an attempt to defend their fans, said, “Valencia CF categorically reject the false statements made by the player Rodrygo Goes, in which he said that the entirety of Mestalla participated in racist chants towards his teammate.”

“Valencia CF reserve the right to take the appropriate legal measures to defend the honour of our club and fans,” the announcement added asking Rodrygo to apologize for his generalization.

The Real Madrid forward responded to the statement and clarified his previous claims. “My utmost respect to the fans and to Valencia,” he wrote on social media. “Just as I said in the press conference that Spain is not a racist country, I meant to refer only to those people in the stadium who behaved badly towards Vini, not in any way to all of the fans. I’m here with the national team to fight against racism. It’s time to end racism. Condemning it isn’t enough. We have to act. No to racism.”

Rodrygo’s press conference came right on the back of the news of Vinicius being made the head of the FIFA Anti-racism Committee. The forward has been on the receiving end of some of the most blatant acts of racism in football in 2023.

Related: FIFA appoints Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. as the head of their anti racism committee

I’d be very excited for him to come here: Rodrygo on the prospect of Mbappe joining Real Madrid

Q 1686898508
Rodrygo and Mbappe in action against each other (Credit: 20Minutos)

During a press conference while on international duty, Brazilian player Rodrygo expressed his enthusiasm for the possibility of seeing French forward Kylian Mbappe join him at Real Madrid. When asked to rate his excitement on a scale of one to ten, Rodrygo shared his positive sentiments.

Rodrygo said, “For me, 10, because he’s a phenomenon, he’s one of the best players in the world and we know that we need a player there, in the position he likes to play, I’d be very excited if Mbappe came, but he has a contract in Paris and we have to respect that. The sooner [he joins] the better, but if Mbappe can’t come now, there are other players. Florentino [Perez] and [Carlo] Ancelotti will decide what’s best for Real Madrid.” Mbappe has rejected PSG’s renewal offer and looks set to leave. This brings another transfer saga in his already storied career.

Related posts: