Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says abuse of Vinicius Jr is problem for Spanish football
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Published 07/02/2023 at 18:35 GMT
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended Vinicius Junior and says that racist abuse aimed at Vinicius Jr is a problem for the whole of Spanish football. On Sunday, a fan allegedly racially abused the 22-year-old during Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Mallorca. La Liga are investigating the claims. It’s the latest incident this season involving allegations of racist abuse towards Vinicius.
Ancelotti: “The work of physios is more important than the work of the coach”
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says that racist abuse aimed at Vinicius Jr is a problem for the whole of Spanish football.
La Liga are investigating alleged racist abuse from a fan during Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Mallorca, which came a week after an effigy of Vinicius hung from a motorway prior to the team’s Copa del Rey tie against Atletico Madrid.
"The question I ask is this: What is the problem?" said Ancelotti, ahead of Real Madrid’s Club World Cup semi-final against Egyptian side Al Ahly.
"Vinicius? Vinicius' team-mates? What's the problem? To defend himself? What does Vinicius have to defend himself against? What do his team-mates have to defend themselves against? I don't know.
"It seems like the problem is Vinicius, but the problem is what happens around him. Period.
"It is a problem of Spanish football. I am a part of Spanish football and I think it's a problem that we have to solve because it seems that Vinicius is the culprit, but he is the victim of something that I don't understand."
La Liga president Javier Tebas has previously stated Vinicius’ comments about the league not doing enough to combat racism were “unfair and untrue”.
In September, agent Pedro Bravo compared Vinicius’ dancing celebrations to a monkey. Bravo apologised on social media.
Vinicius released a video statement saying he “won’t stop dancing” and was defended by other footballers.
"As long as the colour of the skin is more important than the brightness of the eyes, there will be war,” the Brazilian said.
"I have that phrase tattooed on my body. I have this thought permanently in my head. And I have attitudes in my life that turn this philosophy into reality.
"They say that happiness bothers. The happiness of a black Brazilian being successful in Europe bothers much more.
"But my will to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that. Don't even try to imagine how much.
"They are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it! Respect it! Or freak out… In any case, I will not stop!”
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