Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday that he expects Brazilian Vinicius Junior to stay with the Spanish club despite being subjected to racist chants during several matches in the local league, at a time when the arrests of some of those involved in racism towards the player.
Ancelotti told a news conference: "I don't think (he will leave Spain), because he loves football and he loves Real Madrid. He loves the club so much and he wants to spend his career here."
Ancelotti explained that Vinicius is "very sad", but he has also received a huge boost from the "unconditional support" he has received "even from rivals".
"He is a victim of what is happening. Sometimes people blame him for being provocative and for his behavior."
The Italian coach confirmed that the abuse began as soon as the team bus arrived at the stadium, which negates the talk of Vinicius provoking the fans.
Ancelotti called on the authorities to take more effective action against racism and hate in football, and said the regulations in place were a thing of the old past.
"I want actions, and so far nothing has happened. There are, for example, some countries where they are not insulted, such as England where the problem was solved a long time ago, when it was decided to exclude England from European competition for five years."
Ancelotti said he would consider taking his team off the pitch next time if Vinicius or any of his players were subjected to racist abuse.
Ancelotti: The whole stadium insulted Vinicius and asked to stop the match #La Liga | #Valencia_Real_Madrid#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/YS9RTYMfw4
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 21, 2023
Arrests continue
In the same context, the Spanish police announced – on Tuesday – that they arrested 3 people in the city of Valencia in connection with directing racist chants against Brazilian Vinicius during the city's match against Real Madrid at Valencia's Mestalla Stadium last Sunday.
⏯️ Details of what happened with Vinicius in the Valencia match
▪️ Abdulaziz Al-Sulaiti: A full season and Vinicius is subjected to racism.
▪️ Haitham Farouk: Vinicius injustice today #La Liga | #فالنسيا_ريال_مدريد #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/rLzqFSQA3l
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 22, 2023
Spanish police also announced that they had detained four people in connection with the incident in which a hanging doll representing Brazilian striker Vinicius Jr. was placed under a bridge in January.
Police opened a hate crime investigation after a hanging doll wearing Vinicius' number 20 was found on a bridge in front of Real Madrid's training ground, with the caption "Madrid hates Real".
The arrests come a day after Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales said Spanish football was plagued by racism, and after Real's tenth complaint that Vinicius had been subjected to racist abuse in the country this season.