Valencia vs Vinicius Jr: Documentary Sparks Legal Showdown
LaLiga star’s new film lands him in hot water as Valencia threaten legal action over racism claims.
Football is once again at the center of controversy, this time not on the pitch, but in the courtroom.
Brazilian forward, Vinícius Jr, is facing legal threats from Valencia CF following the release of his new documentary, which has stirred up major controversy in Spain.
Vinícius Jr, who currently plays for Real Madrid, recently released a personal documentary that covers his journey in football,from humble beginnings to international stardom. The film also touches on the racism he has endured throughout his career, particularly during matches in LaLiga.
However, one segment of the documentary has sparked outrage from Valencia CF, and it’s threatening to become a full-blown legal battle.
The scene that sparked the storm
In the documentary, a scene shows fans at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium shouting at Vinícius during a match in the 2022/2023 season. According to Vinícius Jr, the insults included racist abuse, he claims he was called “mono” (Spanish for “monkey”).
This portion of the documentary aims to highlight the ongoing issue of racism in football, and Vinícius presents it as a powerful moment in his fight against discrimination. However, Valencia CF are not having it.
Valencia CF Responds
The club has issued an official response demanding that Vinícius either delete the documentary entirely or edit out the controversial part. Their main argument is that the documentary portrays all Valencia fans as racists, which they claim is false and damaging to their reputation.
Valencia stressed that only three individuals were found guilty of racist behavior during the incident and all of them were identified, arrested, and handed stadium bans. The club insists that the overwhelming majority of their fans had no part in the abuse and that the film unfairly tars the entire fanbase.
Moreover, Valencia claims that the actual insult shouted by fans was “tonto” (Spanish for “fool”), not the racist slur “mono.” The club is demanding that the film be altered to reflect this difference or face legal consequences.
“ See you in court?
The club has warned that if Vinícius Jr. refuses to make the necessary changes, they are ready to take the matter to court.
Official statement from Valencia:
” 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.”#RESPECT
Bigger than football
This clash goes beyond just one match or one player. It raises important questions about freedom of expression, racism in football, and how clubs respond to accusations of discriminatory behavior.
As of now, Vinícius Jr. has not publicly responded to Valencia’s demands. But with lawyers now involved and tensions rising, what began as a personal project may soon become a landmark legal battle in the world of football.
