Valencia sent a letter to guide its fans ahead of their first meeting with Real Madrid since the racist episode against Vinicius Junior at the Mestalla Stadium in May.
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With this, the club gave recommendations to the 579 fans who bought visitor tickets for the duel at the Santiago Bernabéu, next Saturday, for the 13th round of LaLiga.
In the statement, the club cites the “unpleasant incident that occurred in last season’s game” and states that the episode led to the team receiving “labels”, reiterating that “Valencianista is not a racist fan base, and Mestalla is not a racist stadium “. And remember that fans will be watched during the match.
“As our coach, Rubén Baraja, said, as a club and as fans we must position ourselves “against those who accuse us of being what we are not”. And the best way to do this is to set an example in the stands of the Santiago Bernabéu, where there will be many eyes and many cameras on us,” the letter says.
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In the guidelines, Valencia still takes a stance against racism and says that it is necessary to eradicate it from society, remembering that it expelled those accused of prejudice against Vinicius Junior from the stadiums.
“Valencia claims its clear position against any type of discrimination. Let’s enjoy the game, let’s encourage our players above any provocation and honor the values that characterize us”, adds the club.
It is worth remembering that Valencia and Real Madrid last faced each other on May 21st, in a Spanish Championship game, at the Mestalla stadium, which was marked by racist attacks on Vinicius Junior.
The episode gained worldwide repercussion and became a milestone in the striker’s career, who took a firm stance in the fight against prejudice, with harsh criticism of LaLiga, after having already been the target of racism on other occasions.
Three fans were detained two days later, accused of racism against the player, but were subsequently released. They are now targets of Spanish justice, in a process that is in a Valencia court.