LaLiga Condemns Hate Speech after Vinicius Jr Racially Abused

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior controls the ball during the Spanish League football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 18, 2022. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior controls the ball during the Spanish League football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 18, 2022. (AFP)
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LaLiga Condemns Hate Speech after Vinicius Jr Racially Abused

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior controls the ball during the Spanish League football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 18, 2022. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior controls the ball during the Spanish League football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on September 18, 2022. (AFP)

LaLiga has condemned hate speech after Atletico Madrid fans were filmed racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. outside their Metropolitano Stadium ahead of Sunday's match.

Hundreds of Atletico supporters could be heard singing, "Vinicius, you are a monkey, you are monkey" in a video published on social media by radio station Cope in the build-up to the Madrid derby, which Real won 2-1.

Local media also reported that monkey noises and chants of "Vinicius, die" were heard throughout the game.

"We denounce all incidents inside and outside stadiums," a LaLiga spokesperson told the BBC. "We work with clubs to keep our football friendly and enjoyable.

"Hate speech has no place in LaLiga and we always work with the clubs and the authorities to identify and bring to justice any such case."

The clubs have not commented on the incidents.



Ski Great Marcel Hirscher’s Comeback Season Ended by Serious Knee Injury

Marcel Hirscher of Netherlands competes in the first run of the men's slalom race during the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Hochgurgl, Austria on November 24, 2024. (Photo by Johann Groder/ various sources / AFP)
Marcel Hirscher of Netherlands competes in the first run of the men's slalom race during the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Hochgurgl, Austria on November 24, 2024. (Photo by Johann Groder/ various sources / AFP)
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Ski Great Marcel Hirscher’s Comeback Season Ended by Serious Knee Injury

Marcel Hirscher of Netherlands competes in the first run of the men's slalom race during the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Hochgurgl, Austria on November 24, 2024. (Photo by Johann Groder/ various sources / AFP)
Marcel Hirscher of Netherlands competes in the first run of the men's slalom race during the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Hochgurgl, Austria on November 24, 2024. (Photo by Johann Groder/ various sources / AFP)

Ski great Marcel Hirscher’s comeback season after five years away from the sport is over when it had barely begun.

The Austrian star tore the ACL in his left knee “during a harmless slip” while training in giant slalom, he posted on his official website on Tuesday.

“As is unfortunately the case with skiing: part of the game. Maybe I’m finally done with my journey,” said the 35-year-old Hirscher, who had surgery on Monday evening.

Hirscher returned to race this season for the first time since winning a record eighth straight overall World Cup title in March 2019. In three races his best result was 23rd in the season-opening giant slalom at Sölden, Austria.

“The second run was maybe one of the most emotional moments in my career,” Hirscher said after racing on Oct. 27.

The two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion is the latest ski superstar sidelined by injury.

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, who succeeded Hirscher as the men’s overall champion in 2020, is missing the whole season with ongoing issues in his recovery from a hard crash in January at the finish of a downhill in Wengen, Switzerland.

Mikaela Shiffrin, the five-time women’s overall champion, was injured crashing on Saturday when in sight of her record-extending 100th World Cup win in a giant slalom at Killington, Vermont.

Hirscher is not the only ski great making a comeback after stopping five years ago.

Lindsey Vonn, at age 40, is preparing to return in the weeks ahead in the speed races of downhill and super-G she used to dominate.