La Liga president apologizes after comments about Vinícius Jr, – NBC Chicago

Spanish football league president Javier Tebas on Wednesday apologized to Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior for remarks aimed at downplaying a racist row involving the Brazilian striker over the weekend.

Tebas repeated in various interviews with Brazilian TV stations that he was sorry for his remarks, saying they were “untimely” and “misunderstood”.

Immediately after Sunday’s incident, Tebas slammed Vinícius for attacking the Spanish league, and he claimed the Real Madrid star failed to show up for the racism talks he himself requested.

Now the Spanish executive regrets his remarks.

Vinícius faced racist taunts from Valencia fans during Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat in the Spanish league on Sunday, and has complained of similar abuse in the past.

“I have to say I was wrong,” Tebas told TV Globo. “I have to apologize and ask for forgiveness for this tweet. We love Vinicius and we went to court, it’s been a long time. We are on this, we want to defend Vinicius and we will continue to do so.

“If this tweet was misinterpreted, and it surely happened because a lot of people took it in a different way, I have to apologize. And nothing else,” Tebas added.

After Tebas’ tweet on Sunday, Vinicius shot back.

“Instead of criticizing the racists, the league president comes out on social media to attack me,” Vinícius said. “I am not your friend to discuss racism with you. I want actions and punishments.

The Brazilian player didn’t immediately respond to Tebas’ apologies.