Valencia CF is preparing for a legal battle with the producers of the Netflix documentary ‘Baila, Vini,’ and potentially with Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. Himself, over what the club alleges is a damaging and unfair portrayal of its fans as racist. The dispute centers on footage from a match between Valencia and Real Madrid on , at the Mestalla Stadium, where Vinicius Jr. Reported experiencing racist abuse from the crowd.
The controversy erupted after the documentary aired last May, prompting an immediate response from Valencia. The club contacted Conspiraçao Films, the documentary’s production company, demanding a immediate rectification
of content they believe falsely accuses their supporters of racism. Valencia officials contend that the film committed an injustice
by spreading falsehoods and harming the club’s image.
At the heart of the legal challenge is a TikTok video included in the documentary, capturing scenes from the match. The video reportedly shows a caption of monkey
overlaid on footage, rather than the word idiot
, which Valencia claims was the actual sentiment expressed in the original video. This alteration, according to the club, significantly misrepresents the events and implies a racial slur was used.
Valencia’s concerns aren’t simply about the specific caption. They argue the documentary broadly paints their entire fanbase as racist based on the actions of a few individuals. While acknowledging that three fans were convicted of racism following the match, the club insists the film unfairly generalizes this behavior to the entire supporter base. This, they believe, could have lasting damage to the club’s international reputation.
The match in question was already a flashpoint. During the game, Vinicius Jr. Reported hearing racist insults and even identified a spectator to police. This led to a brief stoppage of play as authorities investigated the allegations. Subsequently, in , three fans received eight-month prison sentences and were banned from stadiums for racially abusing Vinicius Jr. During a separate game. In , a fan was found guilty of racially abusing Vinicius Jr. And Villarreal player Samuel Chukwueze in two games at Mallorca in 2023, receiving a suspended prison sentence.
Valencia’s initial request for corrections from the documentary producers was ignored, leading the club to instruct its lawyers to begin building a lawsuit. According to sources close to the matter, this legal preparation has been ongoing since last summer. The club stated unequivocally that the truth and respect for our fans must prevail.
The legal action is reportedly focused on the way the club and its fans are portrayed, rather than directly targeting Vinicius Jr., though the forward’s involvement in the documentary is central to the dispute.
This isn’t the first instance of legal repercussions stemming from racist incidents targeting Vinicius Jr. In December 2022, five individuals were handed one-year suspended prison sentences and fines for racially abusing Vinicius Jr. During a match against Real Valladolid. That case marked a landmark ruling in Spain, explicitly condemning racist insults in a football stadium as a hate crime. LaLiga played a key role in that prosecution, initially acting as the sole private prosecutor.
The case highlights the ongoing struggle against racism in Spanish football. While Spanish authorities have begun to take stronger action against perpetrators, as evidenced by the recent convictions, the incident with the ‘Baila, Vini’ documentary demonstrates the challenges of accurately portraying these events and avoiding the generalization of blame. The documentary itself aims to shed light on the racism Vinicius Jr. Has faced throughout his career, with the player sharing an emotional message on Instagram reflecting on his life and career upon its release. He expressed hope that his story would inspire young people to stand up against discrimination.
The outcome of Valencia’s legal challenge remains uncertain. However, the case underscores the sensitivity surrounding accusations of racism in football and the potential legal ramifications of how these incidents are presented to the public. It also raises questions about the responsibility of documentary filmmakers to ensure accuracy and fairness when dealing with sensitive and potentially defamatory subject matter. The club’s pursuit of legal action signals a determination to protect its reputation and defend the integrity of its fanbase, even as Vinicius Jr. Continues to advocate for a more inclusive and respectful environment in the sport.
