La Liga is launching an investigation into an alleged incident where Vinicius Junior was reportedly subjected to racial abuse, being called a “monkey” during Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Valencia. The incident, captured in a video on social media, has prompted authorities to look into the matter, with police reportedly being called during the game.

This distressing event follows a similar instance less than a year ago when Vinicius experienced racist abuse at the same stadium. Having previously faced discrimination and receiving a red card during his last visit to the Mestalla in May 2023, the recurrence of racial abuse is deeply troubling and highlights the ongoing challenges Spanish football faces in combating such issues.

Vinicius had previously expressed his frustration after being racially abused by Valencia’s fans, stating on Instagram, “La Liga belongs to racists.” He criticized the normalization of racism in the league and called out both the competition and its governing bodies for perpetuating such behavior.

As La Liga delves into this latest incident, it underscores the urgent need for continued efforts to eradicate racism from football. Despite the investigation, Vinicius is expected to participate in Real Madrid’s upcoming matches, including the second leg of their Champions League tie against RB Leipzig and a La Liga clash against Celta Vigo on Sunday.