LaLiga chief Javier Tebas has sent a message to Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior following their Twitter spat after the Brazilian slammed the racist treatment he has received this season.
Check Out: Official: Valencia Takes Action After Vinicius Racism Row
The 22-year-old took to social media after Los Blancos' 1-0 loss to Valencia on Sunday to bemoan the discrimination he experienced at the Mestalla, saying LaLiga "now belongs to racists".
Tebas, 60, responded to the Brazil international by telling him to inform himself properly as he insisted the league has done everything within its means to protect players of colour from racial abuse.
The back and forth between Vinicius and Tebas appeared to add fuel to fire, with many accusing the latter of being more offended by the ex-Flamengo winger's comments than by the reported racism in Spain's top league.
Tebas, a lifelong Real supporter, has since apologised for the way his words were interpreted and insisted he hopes the No. 20 stays in LaLiga.
"Here is an issue that I always say to my (communication) team: When many people understand the message in a way, they are right. So, I have to repent," he told ESPN Brasil.
"I think that the message, and the intention I had, an important part (of people), especially in Brazil, did not understand. I did not want to attack Vinicius, but if most people understood it that way, I need to apologise. It was not my intention I expressed myself badly, at a bad time... But I had no intention of attacking Vinicius, but rather clarifying a situation, because Vinicius had recorded a video supporting LaLiga's actions.
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"If I hurt someone, they thought I was racist, it's far from reality. As I said before, we denounced people (who committed racism), we did it because we don't want racism in football. And more: we don't want racism with a player who is going to be, who is a world star, which is Vinicius.
"And I said that a long time ago. After Vinicius had a not so brilliant first season and Messi left, I was asked in an interview who was the 'guy' who stayed in Spain, and I answered Vinicius. I'm not saying now. For me, Vinicius is an asset of Real Madrid, of Spanish football, and we want him with us.
"I feel sorry for what happened, and that's why we denounced it. And we didn't just denounce it: we took special actions at his games. We spoke to the clubs, so that they could provide more security, identify fans. LaLiga takes care of Vinicius. And, if they misunderstood what happened, tweet, I have to apologise."
Arrests have since been made following the events at the Mestalla this past Sunday, while Vinicius, whose red card from the Valencia game was rescinded, was in attendance at his team's 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
Check Out: Six LaLiga Officials 'Fired' After Vinicius Junior Red Card
In a show of support from his teammates, Real's players walked out in shirts bearing the Brazil star's name and shirt number, while the stadium applauded Vinicius in the 20th minute too.
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