Barcelona apologize over deleted Vinicius Junior ‘clown’ post

Barcelona have apologized to Vinícius Júnior after a club director dismissed the racist abuse the Real Madrid striker received and said he deserved a “slap”.

Miquel Camps, who is on Barca’s board of directors, made the comment on X, formerly known as Twitter, following Vinícius’ showboating during Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Braga on Tuesday.

Camps quickly deleted his post on Tuesday, but it had made headlines across Spain.

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“It’s not racism, he deserves a slap for being a clown and a prankster, what do these pointless and pointless stepovers in the middle of the field mean?” Camps wrote.

Barca vice-president Rafa Yuste, speaking after the Catalans’ victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, said the post was out of place and would not happen again.

“If Vinícius listens to me, I mean it won’t happen again,” Yuste told Movistar. “Even if it was an error, it should not have been published. It was an inappropriate error. [post]”.

Vinícius has repeatedly been the target of racist insults from opposition fans during La Liga matches, including in Seville last weekend.

The Brazil international testified earlier this month in the trial of three Valencia fans accused of racist abuse against him during a match in May.

Comments fueled the fire ahead of Saturday’s game Classic at the Olympic Stadium between Barça and Madrid, the first in La Liga this season.

However, Barça coach Xavi Hernández called for tension to be reduced before the match.

“If he deleted it, I don’t need to say anything,” he said at a news conference when asked for his thoughts on Camps’ comment. “I don’t like anything that creates tension, whether it’s trying to condition the referees or this tweet. We need a Classic with fair play and with mutual admiration.

“I won’t be one to create tension. Asking questions about these things also creates a bad vibe.”

Reports in Spain also suggest that Madrid president Florentino Perez will boycott the match in Barcelona in protest against the social media post.

“Yes,” Xavi added when asked if the saga created an “ugly” atmosphere, “and asking me that question is too.”

Xavi was speaking after Barça beat Shakhtar 2-1 to make it nine points from nine in the Champions League, with Ferran Torres and Fermín López scoring the goals.

Fermín, 20, also hit the uprights twice and had a goal disallowed for offside as he staked his claim for a starting place against Madrid at the weekend.

“He’s already an important player,” Xavi said of the youngster, who spent last season on loan at third division side Linares.

“Those are big words, but I think he can be a first-team player here for many years. He’s ready, he’s dynamic, he scores, he shoots from distance. He’s having a great season.

“He was spectacular [against Shakhtar]making those late runs into the box when the attacker comes deep. “

João Félix was injured in the second half against Shakhtar but said he would be able to face Madrid, although Barça are without Sergi Roberto and Jules Koundé through injury, while Pedri, Frenkie de Jong , Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha are also major doubts.

Barca are third in La Liga with 24 points after 10 matches played, one behind Madrid, who are tied with Girona at the top of the table with 25 points.