La Liga set to investigate hate chants against Real Madrid superstar vs Osasuna
Just days after Vinicius Junior was the victim of a high-profile racial incident against SL Benfica, the Brazilian superstar was once again subjected to deplorable hostility.
Real Madrid suffered a damaging 2-1 La Liga defeat to Osasuna at El Sadar Stadium on Saturday, but the frustrating result was heavily overshadowed by disturbing chants directed at the winger.
Hostile Environment at El Sadar
Throughout the match, the 25-year-old was targeted with heavy whistles and derogatory chants, reports The Athletic.
Sections of the home crowd were heard singing “Vinicius, balon de playa” (beach ball) – mocking his second-place finish for the 2024 Ballon d’Or – alongside shouts of “tonto” (fool).
More concerningly, La Liga has confirmed it is actively investigating video footage that appears to show fans chanting “Vinicius, muerete” (Vinicius, die).
Vinicius Jr. was once again a subject of racial hate. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
This stadium has a troubling history regarding the Real Madrid number seven. In 2023, cameras captured an Osasuna supporter racially abusing Vinicius, though the Pamplona court controversially dismissed the case in 2024 due to an inability to identify the perpetrator.
On the pitch, the Brazilian momentarily silenced the crowd in the 73rd minute. Finishing a brilliant pass from Federico Valverde, he celebrated by pointing to his name and gesturing “I’m here” to the turf.
However, Osasuna claimed all three points after Raul García’s 90th-minute winner added to Ante Budimir’s first-half penalty.
The defeat leaves Alvaro Arbeloa’s side vulnerable at the top of the table. The manager, who substituted Valverde late in the game strictly to prevent injury risks, immediately shifted his focus to Wednesday’s crucial Champions League playoff second leg against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
“I hope it doesn’t mean anything, because we’re playing for our lives again in four days. A team shows its strength in difficult times. There’s no room for doubts,” Arbeloa stated during his press conference.
The 16-year-old refereeing adult football matches - Yahoo Sports Canada
The 16-year-old refereeing adult football matches
Being a football referee comes with many challenges, from managing intense emotions, making split decisions and dealing with constant criticism.
But none of this bothers 16-year-old RJ, from Taunton in Somerset.
After developing a passion for refereeing at a young age, he started officiating matches at 14 and now regularly officiates both youth and adult football matches across the county.
He was named Somerset Youth Referee of the year for his "outstanding" contribution to youth football.
"It felt really special," said RJ. "After doing it for only two years, I didn't expect to get anything like that."
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A keen football player, RJ said he started refereeing because he wanted to get more involved in the game.
"I've just loved it ever since then," said RJ. "I like having the role of responsibility."
RJ said he had learned to take difficulties faced on the pitch in his stride, after having to hand out a red card on his first game.
"I did freeze a little bit, but then I kind of regained [the reason] why I do it and took full responsibility."
Since starting his role, RJ said refereeing had helped him in all areas of his life.
Daniel Chalk, PE teacher at Monkton Wood Academy, described him as a "confident" pupil who helped to coach and referee football games at the school.
"It's brilliant for us. He helps with the key stage three football sessions after school and he's done countless amounts of refereeing for us."
Martin Peters, Somerset FA referee development officer, said it was "unusual" to find a 16-year-old refereeing for adult games.
"We have loads of 16-year-old referees, but not a lot of them want to go into the adult game," he said.
"And that's what makes this so unique with RJ that he's probably very much a minority 16-year-old that's gone into adult football."
Somerset FA is trying to encourage more young people to train to become referees.
"The big problem we have is trying to get them into the adult game," Peters explained.
"It's about coming into the game with discipline – being strong and confident in every decision that you make."
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