Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior said "La Liga belongs to racists" after being subjected to racist chants at Valencia.

The 22-year-old was dismissed for violent conduct on 97 minutes after an altercation with Hugo Duro.

Earlier in the game, an incensed Vinicius attempted to bring a Valencia fan to the referee's attention.

"The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists," he wrote on Instagram.

"It wasn't the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it's normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it.

"A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world. I'm sorry for the Spaniards who don't agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.

"And unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defence. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here," he said.

The Brazil forward, who was sent off for the first time in his career, has been the subject of racist abuse numerous times this season in La Liga.

The game was momentarily paused in the second half as the Real forward reacted angrily to an incident in the stands.

He was fired up from that moment and was sent off for the first time in La Liga for his involvement in an altercation between the two sets of players.

His manager Carlo Ancelotti said the game should have been stopped because of the abuse directed at his player.

"What we saw today is unacceptable. An entire stadium chanting racist slurs," the Italian said.

"I don't want to talk about football today, there is no meaning in talking about football today. I told the referee he should have stopped the match.

"La Liga has a problem. For me Vinicius is the most important player in the world. La Liga has a problem, these episodes of racism have to stop the match.

"It's the entire stadium that is insulting a player with racist chants and the match has to stop. I would say the same if we were winning 3-0, there is no other way."

Ancelotti says racism a problem for Spanish football

Ancelotti said Vinicius' reaction was "understandable" in the circumstances.

"I asked him if he wanted to keep playing, and he stayed in the game," the former Milan midfielder added.

"Vinicius is very sad, he is angry. Something like this can't happen in the world we live in."

La Liga has said it will investigate the incident, while Valencia released a statement on their club website condemning what happened and confirming they will investigate it.

"Valencia CF wishes to publicly condemn any type of insult, attack or disqualification in football," the statement read.

"The club, in its commitment to the values of respect and sport, publicly reaffirms its position against physical and verbal violence in stadiums and regrets the events that occurred.

"Although this is an isolated episode, insults to any player from the rival team have no place in football and do not fit in with the values and identity of Valencia CF.

"The club is investigating what happened and will take the most severe measures."

Carlo Ancelotti with Vinicius Jr

Ancelotti has criticised La Liga following the abuse directed at his player

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand took to Instagram in support of Vinicius and questioned player protection.

"Bro you need protecting.... who is protecting Vinicius Junior in Spain??," he wrote.

"How many times do we need to see this young man subjected to this? I see pain, I see disgust, I see him needing help... and the authorities don't help him.

"People need to stand together and demand more from the authorities that run our game.

"No-one deserves this, yet you are allowing it. There needs to be a unified approach to this otherwise it will be swept under the carpet again."

Diego Lopez got the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute for the home side. (BBC)

•Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr points towards someone in the stands before being sent off late on for a separate incident

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