Real Madrid manager urges penalties following reported racial abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior.
Álvaro Arbeloa stated that the reported racist abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior during Real Madrid’s Champions League playoff against Benfica this week could “serve as a turning point” regarding the matter, emphasizing that he believes UEFA should impose a penalty for the incident.
The match at the Estadio da Luz was paused for 10 minutes following Vinícius’ sole goal in the 50th minute, after the Brazilian international informed the referee that he had experienced racial abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
Both Prestianni and Benfica have refuted the claim, and UEFA has initiated an investigation, with Madrid submitting a collection of evidence to the European football governing body on Thursday.
“Vini has been upset, like everyone else, and particularly very angry,” Arbeloa remarked during a news conference on Friday, prior to Madrid’s LaLiga match against Osasuna. “Clearly, this is a racist act that we do not wish to see repeated. It has no place in our sport or in society. We have a significant opportunity to ensure it does not occur again.”
Madrid and Benfica are scheduled to face each other in the return leg at the Bernabéu on Wednesday, with a spot in the Champions League round of 16 on the line.
“Now it’s up to UEFA,” Arbeloa stated on Friday. “It’s time to demonstrate that it’s not merely talk … I am not in a position to dictate how UEFA should respond, but I do believe there ought to be a sanction. We have a valuable opportunity to create a turning point.”
During his news conference on Friday, Benfica coach José Mourinho — who criticized Vinícius’ goal celebration earlier this week — mentioned that the past few days “haven’t been easy to handle emotionally.”
Arbeloa refrained from commenting on Mourinho’s remarks, or those made by Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany, who stated on Friday that Mourinho had “attacked the character” of Vinícius and had made a “significant error.”
“I prefer not to comment on the opinions of others, whether it’s Kompany, José, or anyone else,” Arbeloa said. “Everyone is entitled to their viewpoint; I am sharing mine. Vini scored an excellent goal and celebrated it as we have seen countless times before. We cannot depict the victim as the instigator. Nothing Vini has done justifies a racist act.”
– Real Madrid provide UEFA ‘all available evidence’ for Vinícius Jr. investigation
– Benfica lodge complaint with UEFA regarding Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde’s behavior
– Brazil demands penalties in Vinícius Júnior racism inquiry
Arbeloa mentioned that forward Kylian Mbappé’s knee was “much improved” after the star missed last weekend’s LaLiga match but started against Benfica.
“[The knee] hasn’t fully healed, but he’s feeling better,” Arbeloa noted. “We have made significant progress over the past few weeks, but I remain as calm as I was during the criticism. We recognize the club’s high expectations. We aim to continue improving.”
Madrid heads into Saturday’s match against Osasuna two points ahead at the top of the LaLiga standings, following rivals Barcelona’s defeat at Girona on Monday.
