Valencia's south stand will be partially closed for five matches and the club fined €45,000 ($49,536) after the racist abuse directed at Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in Sunday's La Liga game, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said on Tuesday.
Seven people were detained by Spanish police earlier on Tuesday, accused of different hate crimes against Vinicius, including racist slurs allegedly hurled at the Brazilian during Sunday's match at Valencia's Mestalla stadium.
The game was halted for 10 minutes as the Brazil forward pointed out fans who were abusing him. He was then involved in an altercation with Valencia's players which led to him being sent off in the second half.
"It is considered proven that there were racist shouts at Vinicius during the aforementioned match. A financial penalty of €45,000 is imposed on Valencia," the Competition Committee of the RFEF said in a statement.
Vinicius also had his red card rescinded by the RFEF.
The Brazilian winger was sent off in stoppage time by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea for striking an opponent following a scuffle with Valencia players in which Vinicius appeared to be grabbed around the neck.
"The RFEF Competition Committee considers that the referee's assessment was determined by the omission of the entirety of the play that took place, which affected the refereeing decision," the federation said.
"The fact that he [the referee] was deprived of a decisive part of the facts led him to adopt an arbitrary decision. And this is because it was impossible for him to properly assess what happened."
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said he expected Vinicius to remain at the Spanish club despite facing racist abuse in several La Liga matches. However, the Italian has called on Spanish football authorities to use this latest ugly incident as an opportunity to take "drastic measures".
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Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior reacts to being insulted by Valencia supporters during La Liga match at the Mestalla in Valencia on May 21, 2023. Vinicius claimed he was racially abused and Real Madrid lost the match 1-0. AFP -
Vinicius Junior, centre, points to a supporter in the crowd the Real Madrid striker claims racially abused him during a match against Valencia. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior gestures towards a fan after claiming he was the victim of racial abuse as Valencia's Jose Gaya and Cenk Ozkacar attempt to restrain him. Reuters -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, center, leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valencia and Real Madrid, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, May 21, 2023. (AP Photo / Alberto Saiz) -
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti, left, speaks to Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior. Ancelotti said Vinicius did not wan tot play in initially after being targeted by racists in the crowd but that he was persuaded to carry on. AP -
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti remonstrates with referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea as Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior looks on. AP -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, centre, gestures towards Valencia fans as he leaves the pitch after being shown a red card. AP Photo -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior gestures. Reuters -
Match referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea shows a red card to Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid (not pictured) as his teammate Eder Militao looks on. Getty Images -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts after receiving a red card. EPA -
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior confronts the Valencia bench as he leaves the pitch after being sent off. AFP -
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea talks with Real Madrid's striker Vinicius Junior. EPA -
Valencia's defender Dimitri Foulquier (L) in action against Real Madrid's striker Vinicius Junior (R) during the Spanish LaLiga match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, 21 May 2023. EPA / Kai FORSTERLING -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior is restrained by teammates Antonio Rudiger and Thibaut Courtois after being sent off. Reuters -
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior talks to Valencia's Turkish defender Cenk Ozkacar as he reacts to being insulted from the stands. AFP -
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid reacts after receiving what he says was racist abuse made by Valencia fans. Getty Images -
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid reacts after receiving racist abuse. Getty Images -
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, right, duels for the ball with Valencia's Thierry Correia. AP Photo
“It’s a crucial moment, a moment to take drastic measures,” Ancelotti said. “Now that the issue has visibility, the institutions have to take this opportunity to try to fix this problem.”
He said cases of racism in Spain are not isolated, and that just denouncing them isn't going to be enough.
“We’re concerned about what has happened, just like everyone else," Ancelotti said. “There has been lots of talk about the situation and it’s right and fair to talk about it. It could be a great opportunity to take big strides to improve things.”
Tuesday's arrests come a day after football federation chief Luis Rubiales said Spanish football has a racism problem.
