Vinicius Jr Netflix documentary slammed by Valencia over racial abuse portrayal of Real Madrid superstar
Seething Valencia have demanded Netflix make changes to their new Vinicius Jr documentary over a scene where the Real Madrid superstar was racially abused by members of the club's support.
On May 13, 2023 at Valencia 's Mestalla Stadium, the Brazil winger was subjected to racial chants by a small group of fans in the North Stand during their 1-0 win over the La Liga giants.
The league clash - which had to be halted when Vinicius Jr made match officials aware of the abuse from the stands - proved to be a watershed moment in Spanish football's battle against racism, with three individuals arrested in connection to the racist slurs four days later.
Netlix have now released a documentary about Madrid' s star forward Vinicius Jr titled ' 'Baila, Vini', which was made available world wide by the streaming powerhouses last Thursday.
But fuming Valencia bosses have now called on Netflix to make alterations to their documentary after taking an objection to the California-based company putting subtitles over Valencia fans chanting which read 'mono, mono' (monkey, monkey) when instead the supporters had sung: "tonto, tonto" (stupid, stupid)."
Accusing Netlix of using the subtitles of blowing the reality of what happened into disproportion, their furious statement read: "As a response to injustice and falsehoods made towards the Valencia CF fanbase, the club have made a demand in writing to the producers of the documentary regarding their portrayal of what occurred at Mestalla, which does not correspond with reality.
"Truth and respect for our fans must prevail. Valencia CF reserve the right to legal action corresponding to the situation."
Vinicius - a three time La Liga and two time Champions League winner with Madrid - has been targeted by racial abuse from the stands on at least 16 occasions ever since his arrival in the Spanish capital from Flamengo in 2018.
In March 2024, the now 24-year-old was reduced to tears talking about his horrible experiences during a press conference for a friendly match organised between Brazil and Spain to add more weight to the continued struggle against racism in Spanish football.
Back in 2022, the superstar released a passionate statement vowing that he would not let the xenophobia from sections of supporters get the better of him.
He wrote on Instagram: "As long as the color of the skin is more important than the glow of the eyes, there will be war. I've got that phrase tattooed on my body. I constantly have that thought in my head. That's the attitude and philosophy I try to put into practice in my life.
"They say happiness is annoying. The happiness of a Black Brazilian victorious in Europe is much more annoying. But my will to win, my smile and the twinkle in my eyes are much greater than that. You can't even imagine.
"I was a victim of xenophobia and racism in one statement. But none of that started yesterday.
Weeks ago they started criminalizing my dances. Dances that are not mine. Dreams of Ronaldinho, Neymar, Paquetá, Griezmann, João Felix, Matheus Cunha... are Brazilian funk artists and sambists, reggaeton singers, and American black
"They are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it, respect it. I will not stop. I come from a country where poverty is very high, where people don't have access to education.. and in many cases, no food on the table!
"I don't usually come in public to hit criticism. I'm being attacked and I don't speak up. They praise me and I don't talk either. I work! I work hard.
"On and off the field. I developed an app to help educate children in public schools without financial aid from anyone. I'm making a school with my name. I'll do so much more for education. I want future generations to be prepared, like me, to fight against racists and xenophobes.
"I always try to be a professional and an exemplary citizen. But that doesn't click, doesn't trend online, or motivates cowards to aggressively talk about people they don't even know.
"The script always ends with an apology and 'I've been misunderstood.' But I repeat for you racists, I won't stop dancing. Whether at the Sambodrome, at the Bernabéu or wherever."
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