Valencia Football Club is currently contemplating legal action against Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr over his Netflix documentary, “Baila, Vini” (“Dance, Vini”). The club alleges that the documentary inaccurately portrays their fans as engaging in racist behavior during a match at Mestalla in May 2023.
While three individuals were indeed found guilty of racist conduct during the match, Valencia insists that the documentary unfairly generalizes the actions of a few to tarnish the reputation of the entire fanbase. The film suggests that Vinicius Jr was subjected to racial slurs, specifically “Mono, mono!” (“Monkey, monkey!”), by Valencia supporters, but the club asserts that the actual chant was “Tonto, tonto!” (“Idiot, idiot!”).
Valencia has condemned the racist acts of the identified fans but argues that the documentary’s portrayal is misleading and could potentially damage the club’s global image. In response to the controversy, Vinicius Jr took to Instagram to reflect on the documentary, stating, “A 24-year-old having a documentary sounds weird, right? My career is far from over; a biography now wouldn’t make sense.”
The Brazilian forward expressed his desire to combat racism in football and inspire younger generations both on and off the pitch. Despite the ongoing dispute between Valencia and Vinicius Jr, the player remains committed to using his platform to raise awareness and promote inclusivity in the sport.
As the situation unfolds, Valencia is exploring legal avenues to address the alleged misrepresentation in the documentary and safeguard their reputation. The club’s stance underscores the importance of accurate and responsible storytelling in the portrayal of sensitive issues such as racism in sports.
