La Liga: Rodrygo scores winning goal; performs 'Black Power' salute
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Madrid: Brazilian footballer Rodrygo Silva celebrated his victory goal for Real Madrid on Wednesday with a bowed head and lifted a fist in the latest La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, Agence France-Presse.
He performed the "Black Power" salute in solidarity with teammate Vinicius Jr, who was subjected to racism in the previous match against Valencia on Sunday. Vinicius was watching the match from the president's box since he was injured and was not playing on Wednesday.
Real Madrid won the match 2-1 on Wednesday.
After his bad confrontation with a racial slur from a pack of Valencian fans on Sunday, he took to Twitter for his response.
“Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition considers it normal, the federation considers it normal, and the rivals encourage it," Vinicius tweeted after the game, Reuters reported.
"The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Lionel) Messi today belongs to the racists.
"A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which accepted to export to the world the image of a racist country. I am sorry for those Spaniards who disagree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.
On Wednesday, Real Madrid lined up before the game wearing Vinicius's number 20 shirt extending him their support. Supporters chanted his name at the stadium, and one banner at a stand read, "We are all Vinicius, enough already!"
Wednesday's game was the first for Real Madrid after Vinicius faced the abuse.
Many, including the FIFA president and La Liga chairman, came forward to condemn the racial incident. The latter even publically acknowledged that the Spanish league is marred with racism.
It was the first time Madrid had played since the abuse occurred, and many sports stars and other significant figures across the world have offered Vinicius their support.
Police have arrested multiple persons on the incident, while Spanish soccer officials fined Valencia $48,500 as well as ordered to close a part of the team's home stadium, where hardcore fans usually take seats, for the next matches, Associated Press reported.
