Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti remains confident that Vinicius Jr. will continue his career with the club, despite the player hinting at a possible departure following years of racist abuse. Ancelotti’s belief in Vinicius’ commitment to the team is unwavering, despite the challenges posed by such abuse, and he remains optimistic about the young player’s future at the club.
Vinicius said he would not back down in his fight against racism even if he had to go far away to continue his struggle.
But asked if the 22-year-old was contemplating leaving Madrid, Ancelotti said: ‘I don’t think so. He loves Real Madrid. A lot of things have gone through his head but I don’t think it’s on his mind to leave. His love for the club is very big and he wants to make his career here.’
Vinicius did not train on Tuesday with Ancelotti telling reporters he had a slight knee problem and did not need to risk injury with a suspension of one or two games about to start for his red card against Valencia on Sunday.
Another reporter in the press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s home game with Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday asked if Vinicius had lost his passion for playing in Spain.
Carlo Ancelotti believes Vinicius will stay at Real Madrid despite hinting he is open to leaving
Vinicius did not train with Real Madrid on Tuesday as he prepares for a one or two-match ban
The Brazilian was subjected to racist abuse in Madrid’s 1-0 defeat at Valencia on Sunday, before he was sent off for appearing to slap Hugo Duro
He became embroiled in the scuffle at the end of the game after receiving the vile abuse
Three ‘young people’ have been arrested for ‘racist behaviour’ after Vinicius was targeted
Ancelotti added: ‘He has not lost it no. We’ll see what his suspension is and we’ll evaluate whether to give him more or fewer days off. If he gets two games, I’ll give him a week’s holiday to be ready for the last game of the season against Athletic. And if he gets one game, he’ll play against Sevilla.’
On the player’s state of mind Ancelotti said: ‘He is very upset. But he knows he has the support of everyone, not just Madrid. It’s unconditional support and it has even come from rivals.’
England would be Vinicius’ destination if he did walk away from Real Madrid and Ancelotti emphasized the huge difference in the way racism is treated in English and Spanish grounds.
He said: ‘Condemnation is not enough. This has been happening for a long time but still no action has been taken to put an end to this problem of racism. In England they don’t insult you. They solved this issue a long time ago at the time of the ban from European competition. There are no police in the stadiums in England. Here it is like going into a war zone with police vans everywhere. They have taken drastic measures [in England].’
In Valencia police are reviewing footage from both inside and outside the stadium. City councilor Pilar Bernabe said: ‘At the moment, what we know is that three people have been identified, but the work of the National Police is ongoing.’
Meanwhile in Madrid on Tuesday police officers arrested four people for allegedly committing a hate crime by hanging a mannequin with Vinicius’ shirt from a bridge in January before a Real Madrid Atletico Madrid derby.
After receiving vile taunts throughout Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Valencia, Vinicius became embroiled in a late scuffle with Hugo Duro during added time and, despite appearing to be put in a headlock himself, was eventually sent off for slapping the Valencia striker.
Ancelotti said at a press conference on Tuesday that he still expects Vinicius to stay at Madrid
The Italian believes his love for Madrid means he will commit his future to the Spanish club
Vinicius, who has been racially abused by fans on multiple other occasions this season, was visibly upset when leaving the pitch after being targeted once again, before taking to social media to blast LaLiga and Spanish football’s authorities for failing to take action.
Vinicius later revealed he has received ‘inhuman’ death threats from opposing fans this season while playing for Madrid, who have opened a legal case for the ‘hate crime’ at the Mestalla. Spanish police have also announced that three ‘young people’ have been arrested for ‘racist behaviour’ that occurred in Sunday’s match.
Despite several key figures in world football showing solidarity with Vinicius after the abuse, the winger is still expected to serve a ban after his sending off at the weekend.
After Sunday’s match, Vinicius took to Twitter to declare that Spanish football has reached a new low after previously having a league that was the envy of Europe.
‘It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in LaLiga,’ he claimed.
‘The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I’m so sorry.
‘The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists. 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 defense. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here.’
However, LaLiga president Javier Tebas soon provided a controversial response to Vinicius’s comments, as he hit back by claiming the player had failed to turn up to multiple meetings to discuss the issue.
Vinicius took to social media after the game to declare ‘I will go to the end against racists’
But LaLiga president Tebas hit back at him and urged him to ‘inform himself properly’
The Madrid winger then blasted Tebas in a stinging response, insisting the time for words was over as he demanded that action be taken
Unlike Tebas, Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales admitted the country has a ‘serious problem’ with racism
‘Since those who should not explain to you what it is and what it can do @LaLiga in cases of racism, we have tried to explain it to you, but you have not shown up for either of the two agreed dates that you requested yourself,’ he replied.
‘Before criticising and insulting @LaLiga, it is necessary that you inform yourself properly @Vinijr.
‘Do not let yourself be manipulated and make sure you fully understand each other’s competencies and the work we have been doing together.’
Unlike Tebas, Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales admitted the country has a ‘serious problem’ with racism and was quick to brand LaLiga’s president ‘irresponsible’.
LaLiga then released a statement on Tuesday in which Spain’s top flight promised to ‘request more sanctioning powers, with the aim of being more agile and effective in the fight against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport’.
In that fight, LaLiga claims it has ‘been leading the identification and reporting of such behaviour in football stadiums for years, but feels powerless when observing how its reporting ends.’
The statement continues: ‘Despite its intense and continuous fight against violence and racism to the full extent of its powers (currently, according to Spanish legislation, limited to identifying and reporting the facts that occur), LaLiga feels tremendous frustration at the lack of sanctions and convictions by the sports disciplinary bodies, public administrations and and jurisdictional bodies to which it reports.
LaLiga has submitted a request for more ‘disciplinary authority’ after latest Vinicius incident
‘Faced with this serious situation, in the coming days LaLiga will formally request the amendment of Law 19/2007 of July 11, against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport and Law 39/2022 of December 30, on sport.’
With that request, LaLiga claims it will be calling for the right to exercise ‘disciplinary authority’ which would allow them to impose sanctions over similar incidents in the future.
Vinicius’ hometown of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil turned off the lights of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue on Corvocado in solidarity with the player.
He then posted a picture of the statue bathed in darkness with a statement saying: ‘Black and imposing. Christ the Redeemer was just like that. An action of solidarity that moves me. But I want, above all, to inspire and bring more light to our struggle.
‘I really appreciate all the chain of affection and support I’ve received in the last few months. Both in Brazil and around the world. I know exactly who’s who. Count on me because the good ones are the majority and I won’t give up.
‘I have a purpose in life and if I have to suffer more and more so that future generations don’t go through similar situations, I’m ready and prepared.’
The Cristo Redentor Archdiocesan Sanctuary said: ‘(We) repudiate the racist attacks suffered by the Brazilian player Vinícius Júnior this Sunday, May 21, during a game between Real Madrid and Valencia.
His hometown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil turned off Christ the Redeemer statue’s lights in solidarity
‘(The) lighting (is) turned off as a symbol of the collective struggle against racism and in solidarity with the player and all those who suffer prejudice around the world.’
Writing online alongside a video that shows all the separate incidents of abuse he has been made to suffer, the Madrid talent wrote: ‘Every round away from home is an unpleasant surprise. And there were many this season.
‘Death wishes, hanged doll, many criminal screams… All registered. But the speech always falls on ‘isolated cases’, ‘a fan’. No, these are not isolated cases. They are continuous episodes spread across several cities in Spain (and even in a television program).
‘The evidence is there in the video. Now I ask: how many of these racists had names and photos exposed on websites? I answer to make it easier: zero,’ he added.
