Courtois urges fans to respect players after Vinicius receives abuse
Vinicius Junior was on the receiving end of abuse from Athletic Club fans, prompting a call for respect from team-mate Thibaut Courtois.
Thibaut Courtois has urged fans to show more respect to players after Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior was targeted by Athletic Club fans on Wednesday.
Los Blancos defeated Athletic 3-0 at San Mames, with Kylian Mbappe scoring either side of his assist for Eduardo Camavinga's strike to move Xabi Alonso's side within one point of league leaders Barcelona.
Sections of the home fans in Bilbao hurled abuse at Vinicius, with the winger responding with a "three-goal" gesture in reference to the scoreline.
Five people were handed suspended prison sentences earlier this year for racist remarks directed at the Brazilian in 2022, while Barca's Ronald Araujo was also given a leave of absence after he received abuse following his red card against Chelsea.
Courtois believes fans must know where to draw the line in these situations, insisting they have gone too far too often.
"At the end of the day, we're people, we're humans – we're not machines. Look at what happened with Araujo," said Courtois.
"In the end, everyone ends up like that. But if you look at what happened after [Barcelona's] game against Chelsea, the abuse he [Araujo] received on social media and all that... that's where it all starts.
"I like the banter in games, but I don't think it always has to involve insults.
"It creates a good atmosphere, but I think there's been a bit of a lack of respect, because we're human beings."
