The Valencia football club press service confirmed a Valencia supporter who was at the match against Real Madrid died in hospital. The official cause of death was not disclosed. It was noted that the fan passed away after being taken from the stadium to a hospital facility.
The game, a 35th round fixture in La Liga, took place at Mestalla in Valencia on May 21 and ended with a 1-0 win for Valencia. During the second half a pause was required following racist chants directed at Real Madrid Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior from sections of Valencia supporters. Vinicius was later sent off after a confrontation with opponents as the match concluded.
Valencia moved up to 13th place in the table with the win, bringing their total to 40 points. Real Madrid, with 71 points, remained in third position in the standings.
Earlier, Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke publicly ahead of a G7 leaders’ summit in Hiroshima, urging FIFA to take a strong stand against racism in football. This statement touched on a global concern shared by fans and players as the sport continues to confront discriminatory behavior across venues and leagues.
All parties emphasized that the sport should be a platform for fair play and respect, with authorities stating that investigations would continue where incidents occurred and that measures would be taken to address abuse both on and off the pitch. The broader conversation highlighted ongoing efforts by leagues and federations to improve safety, enforce codes of conduct, and promote inclusive atmospheres for supporters, players, and staff alike. This incident underscored the responsibility of clubs to safeguard fans and maintain a welcoming environment in stadiums and football events.