Real Madrid deleted a tweet containing a racist handle after severe backlash. The La Liga giants, in order to promote their new application, said that it would tag the handles of certain supporters in a post dedicated to Vinicius Jr’s goal vs Liverpool last year.
However, they faced criticism after a racist handle came up. The Brazilian striker’s goal had sealed a 1-0 win in the Champions League final against Jurgen Klopp and co.
Madrid’s system published using an automatic algorithm. It picked out fans who had liked a specific post. They posted the goal with the handle @N****Killer88. The club took it down within 10 minutes.
The said tweet also had the date of the Champions League final, the term ‘La Decimocuarta’ – translated in English as ‘The Fourtheenth’ – followed by a Spanish translation of ‘Vini’s winning goal’.
Vinicius Jr has been subjected to alleged racist abuse by spectators on several occasions. The player and the club have spoken against it. Last month, the Brazil national was abused during Real Madrid’s game at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium.
Seven people were sanctioned by Spanish authorities at the start of the month. Vinicius is reportedly not happy at La Liga and was linked to a move to the Premier League.
“It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third,” Vinicius wrote on social media after the latest abuse.
His complete statement: “Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I’m so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi, today belongs to racists. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which has agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world. I’m sorry for the Spaniards who don’t agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. And unfortunately, with everything that happens each week, I can’t defend it. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against the racists. Even if it’s far from here.”
