Carlo Ancelotti called on the Spanish Football Federation on Tuesday to do something against racism in the stadiums. The Real Madrid coach stood up for Vinícius Júnior, who has been racially abused several times during matches this season.
Last Sunday it was also a hit in the away game with Real Mallorca (1-0). La Liga has already launched an investigation into the incidents. At the same time, Vinícius is also accused by opponents of being a provocateur. In the field, the Brazilian dribbler is regularly tackled hard, as happened on Thursday when Valencia defender Gabriel Paulista was sent off for a hard foul on his compatriot.
In the run-up to the semi-finals at the World Cup for clubs against Al-Ahly, Ancelotti was asked about the events surrounding Vinícius during his press talk. The Italian trainer took a clear position, “Why does he have to defend himself? It sometimes seems that Vinícius is the problem and that is not the case. It is a problem of Spanish football. That needs to be resolved. Vinícius is the victim of something I don’t understand.”
Vinícius is currently staying with Real Madrid in Morocco. Where the Champions League winner is chasing the world title for clubs. Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militão were left behind in Madrid due to injuries, but Ancelotti is hopeful that the important trio can be there on Saturday if Real qualifies for the final. The Italian continued, “If we make it to the final and they do well, they will come here on Thursday.”
Raul linked with Leeds job
For Real, the World Cup for clubs offers the opportunity to move up after a series of mediocre results in their own country. Barcelona was too strong in the final for the Spanish Super Cup in mid-January and is now eight points clear in La Liga. Ancelotti, however, remains positive. He concluded, “I think the team is growing despite Sunday’s defeat (against Mallorca), which hurt. We are dealing with injuries, but the feeling is good.”
Speaking about Real Madrid, various names have come up in Leeds United’s search for a new manager. One of them is Raul. The Real Madrid icon is said to have turned down the challenge of getting started in the Premier League.
Raúl has been a trainer of Real Madrid Castilla since 2019, the second team of De Koninklijke. Victor Orta, the Spanish technical director of Leeds United, would be charmed by the development that the 45-year-old Real legend has gone through as a trainer and, according to AS, soon reported to Madrid after the dismissal of Jesse Marsch.
The Spanish sports newspaper reports that Raúl has declined the offer, he would not want to join in the middle of the season. In addition, he hopes for a chance as head coach in Estádio Santiago Bernabéu, when Carlo Ancelotti’s period at Real is over. The 63-year-old Italian still has a contract with the champion of Spain until mid-2024.
