Valencia CF has taken Netflix and a production company to court.
Spanish club Valencia confirmed on Monday that it has filed a lawsuit against Netflix, accusing the streaming giant and the production team behind a documentary about Vinícius Júnior of spreading false information.
The club argues that the film wrongly suggested that a large section of Mestalla Stadium supporters directed racist chants at the Real Madrid forward during a La Liga game in 2023.
Valencia said it had repeatedly asked the producers to correct the subtitles used in the film, but got no response. The lawsuit seeks compensation for what the club described as damage to its “honour.” It is also pushing for the subtitles to be changed and for the court ruling to be made public.
The controversy centres on a video clip included in the documentary. The subtitles showed the word “mono” (Spanish for monkey), but Valencia insists the fans were shouting “tonto” (Spanish for silly).
Former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was quick to accuse Valencia supporters of racism that day, but later clarified his comments, saying that not the whole stadium was chanting.
Despite the club’s defence, authorities confirmed that some Valencia fans racially insulted Vinícius during the match. Three individuals were convicted and received eight-month prison sentences, the first such convictions in the history of Spanish football.
The Brazilian star broke down in tears on the pitch during the incident. He directly confronted one fan who hurled racial slurs and made monkey gestures from the stands.
Valencia’s legal action now adds another chapter to the ongoing debate over racism in Spanish football and how it is represented in global media.
