La Liga has launched an investigation into allegations of racist abuse directed at Vinicius Junior during the Clasico match between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Videos of Barcelona fans racially insulting the Brazilian striker surfaced on social media, and a banana was allegedly thrown at the Real Madrid player.
The Spanish top flight has launched an investigation and is cooperating with police to identify the perpetrators.
“La Liga has been working from the outset to identify the individuals involved in making racist insults and will file the relevant charges as is always the case,” a statement read.
“We are coordinating with the Mossos d’Esquadra and FC Barcelona.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona have announced that they are also investigating the issue, writing on social media: “FC Barcelona will always defend the values of football and sport such as respect for the opponent and we will investigate any racist insult that may have occurred this afternoon during the match against Real Madrid.”
Vinicius, 23, has been the focus of racist insults since his arrival in Spain.
Last season, La Liga filed at least nine racist abuse allegations against Vinicius in a Barcelona court.
The most high-profile incident occurred during a May match against Valencia, prompting Vinicius to declare on social media that La Liga “belongs to racists.”
La Liga president Javier Tebas reacted angrily to such remark, tweeting: “Before criticising and insulting La Liga, you need to inform yourself properly Vinicius.”
More recently, Vinicius vowed he will continue his fight against racism in Spain, saying: “I personally know that I am not going to change history, that I am not going to make Spain a country without racists, nor the whole world.
“But I know that I can change some things. So that those who come in the next few years do not go through this, so that children can have peace of mind in the future. For them I will do everything I can.”
