“Attacks on Vinicius Junior are a problem in Spanish football”

The coach Carlo Ancelotti returned to defend the Brazilian Vinícius Junior, this Tuesday (7), after another racist attack against the striker, at the weekend, during a Real Madrid game for the Spanish Championship. For the experienced coach, the offenses against the Brazilian are a “problem of Spanish football”.

“The problem (the attacks) is Vini’s, is it his teammates? Vini has to defend himself, his teammates have to defend themselves? What for? Is Vinícius the problem? It seems that he is the problem, but the problem is it’s what happens around him. Period,” said Ancelotti.

On Sunday (5), the striker heard boos from Mallorca fans in the defeat of Real by 1-0, away from home. In addition, he was the target of racist offenses by at least one fan, according to television cameras.

“This is a problem of Spanish football. I am part of Spanish football and I think this is a problem that we need to solve. Because it seems that Vinícius is the culprit, but he is the victim of something that I don’t understand”, declared the Real Madrid coach.

Vinícius Junior has been the target of racist offenses since arriving at the Madrid club in 2018. In recent months, however, the attacks have grown and become more virulent. At the end of January, supporters of rival Atlético de Madrid hung a hanged doll, wearing a Real shirt, with the Brazilian’s name and number, on one of the bridges in the Spanish capital.

Ancelotti’s interview was granted this Tuesday, the eve of Real’s debut at the Club World Cup in Morocco. On Wednesday, the Spanish team will face Al Ahly, in the semifinal.