Ancelotti gives update on Vinicius Junior’s future after racist incident
Vinicus Junior did not participate in Real Madrid‘s training session on Tuesday morning as the club prepare for their home game against Rayo Vallecano – but Carlo Ancelotti says the winger is going nowhere.
The Brazilian has been linked with a move away from Madrid in recent days, with many outlets suggesting he is seeking a fresh start following a number of incidents of racist abuse.
The 22-year-old is regularly a victim of vile racism at away grounds in Spain and was sent off in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Valencia after reacting angrily to alleged monkey chats directed at him, shoving opposition striker Hugo Duro.
He sent an emotional message on Twitter after the incident, claiming “racism is normal in La Liga” and that Spain was “known as a country of racists”.
It remains to be seen whether Vinicius will be suspended for Real Madrid’s next match against Vallecano on Wednesday night but did not train with the team on Tuesday before the game. He could get a three-match ban, ending his 2022/23 season with Madrid having three league games left.
He had the support of boss Ancelotti after the Valencia match with the Italian then asked about Vinicius’ future at the club in a subsequent press conference.
Ancelotti said: “He knows very well that his future has to be here and the fact of leaving is not in his head. He feels that he wants to work for Real Madrid because he is in love with the club.
“He hasn’t lost any enthusiasm. He has a blow and that’s why he didn’t train but he leads a normal life. We are waiting to see what sanction they give him.”
Vinicius has been widely backed by other major figures in world football for taking a firm stance against racism, with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reacting angrily to a reporter’s notion that the player may provoke fans.
Asked whether Vinicius brings it on himself, Klopp replied: “That he is doing something on the pitch that could cause it? There is nothing in the world that could justify that.
“Imagine if I say yes, that would be completely insane.”
Six VAR referees sacked after Vinicius Jr vs Valencia game
The Royal Spanish Football Federation and The Technical Committee of Referees have reportedly fired six VAR referees following the alleged racist abuse of Vinicius Jr.
Vinicius was at the centre of Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Valencia on Sunday for all the wrong reasons.
The Brazilian winger initially got in a heated confrontation with Valencia supporters, who were allegedly racially abusing Vinicius from the stands.
The 22-year-old was then shown a red card for slapping Hugo Duro after being being manhandled by the Valencia player, sparking ironic jeers from the home fans.
Taking to social media after the game, Vinicius posted a powerful statement condemning the actions of those supporters, and the lack of action from La Liga.
But now it seems they have taken note, firing six La Liga officials, including Iglesias Villanueva, who was responsible for VAR during Real Madrid’s defeat to Valencia, according to Marca.
Explaining the decision to sack the officials, the report claimed that the images given to the on-field referee De Burgos Bengoechea which led to Vinicus’ red card were not complete.
“They cannot find the reason why the sequence sent only referred to the Brazilian’s blow to Hugo Duro’s face and not to the rest of the play,” it was stated.
While Real Madrid have also released a statement regarding Sunday’s events, which read: “Real Madrid C. F. strongly condemns the events that took place yesterday against our player Vinícius Junior.
“These events represent a direct attack on the social and democratic model of coexistence of our State based on the rule of law.
“Real Madrid believes that such attacks also constitute a hate crime, and has therefore filed the corresponding report with the Attorney General’s Office, specifically with the Prosecutor’s Office against crimes of hatred and discrimination, in order for the facts to be investigated and for those responsible to be held accountable.
“Article 124 of the Spanish Constitution stipulates that the role of the Public Prosecutor’s Office is to promote the pursuit of justice in defense of legality and the rights of citizens and the public interest.
“Given the seriousness of the events that took place, Real Madrid has appealed to the Attorney General’s Office, without prejudice to its standing as a private prosecutor in any proceedings that may be initiated.”
Los Blancos’ boss Carlo Ancelotti also took aim at La Liga, condemning the supporters in question.
“I’m calm, but what happened today shouldn’t happen,” he said after the game.
“For a stadium to shout ‘monkey’ at a player and for a coach to think about taking him off for that… There’s something wrong with this league.
“It has to be stopped. And I would say the same if we won 3-0.”
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