Following the racial abuse of Vinicius Junior, the Technical Committee of Referees and the Royal Spanish Football Federation have sacked six VAR officials from the Valencia vs Real Madrid game. Vinicius Junior was at the hub of all the negative things that happened as Real Madrid lost 1-0 to Valencia on Sunday.
The Valencia fans who were reportedly racial taunting Vinicius from the stands originally engaged the Brazilian winger in a violent argument. It wasn’t over there for the 22-year-old, who, after being treated roughly by a Valencia player was subsequently given a red card for hitting him, drawing ironic jeers from the home crowd.
La Liga sack six VAR referees after controversial call of Vinicius Junior red car
While Vinicius Junior was subject to host of racist insults once again, received a red card on top of it in Los Blancos’ defeat. The winger was sent-off when VAR determined that he had slapped Valencia opponent Hugo Duro. After the game, Vinicius released a strong message on social media denouncing the behaviour of the fans and the inaction of La Liga.
However, it appears that they have now learned their lesson as six La Liga officials have been fired, including Iglesias Villanueva, who was in charge of the VAR during Real Madrid’s loss to Valencia, according to Marca. The investigation cited incomplete photos provided to on-field referee De Burgos Bengoechea as the reason for the decision to fire the officials, which resulted in Vinicus receiving a red card. It said:
“They cannot find the reason why the sequence sent only referred to the Brazilian’s blow to Hugo Duro’s face and not to the rest of the play.”
Vinicius Junior was dragged into the fight that led to his dismissal after a VAR review. The cause of the brawl was originally unknown, but referee Bengoetxea issued yellow cards to two Valencia players before speaking with the other officials. Vinicius seemed to push Valencia striker Duro in the face, after the Valencia attacker grabbed the Madrid forward around the neck, according to replays. However, Duro was not punished for the event.
Another reported episode of racial abuse, after the ones against Osasuna, Atletico Madrid, Real Valladolid, Real Mallorca, by a fan inside the Mestalla had incensed Vinicius Junior. The 22-year-old made an effort to find the person, but it led to a fight between the two teams of players. He kept pointing at the offender in the stands, apparently incensed. His Madrid teammates and Valencia opponents tried to step in.
Vinicius, who received his first straight red card in La Liga history, mocked by applauding the official before furiously addressing him. The Brazilian international was spotted being pulled into the tunnel by Rudiger. Vinicius’ marching instructions received enthusiastic applause from the home crowd. In response, he made the gesture of a two, alluding to Valencia’s struggle to avoid being demoted to the Segundo Division.