Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has insisted that “nothing Vini has done on a football pitch justifies a racist act” after responding to comments made by former coach Jose Mourinho following the incidents involving Vinicius Junior earlier this week.
The build-up to Madrid’s meeting with Osasuna was dominated by the fallout from Tuesday night, when an alleged racial insult from Benfica youngster Gianluca Prestianni towards Vinicius triggered the referee’s anti-racism protocol and caused a lengthy delay.
Mourinho had moved the discussion towards the Brazilian’s on-field celebrations and the reaction of the crowd, but Arbeloa instead focused on the well-being of his forward.
“He’s been sad, like everyone else, and very indignant. It’s a racist act that we don’t want to see happen again; it has no place in our sport. We have a huge opportunity to make sure this doesn’t go unpunished.”
Play eventually continued after a ten-minute stoppage, a decision taken only after consultation with the player himself. Arbeloa made clear that the squad would have followed Vinicius had he chosen to leave the pitch.
“I think I’ve been clear, the important thing is to fight against these acts. It’s unacceptable. We won’t allow it or tolerate it. They’ll find us standing against them. I want to be clear, especially when it involves a fellow professional.
“It was Vinicius’s decision. If he says we have to leave, we all go inside, one after another. I couldn’t be more proud than I was the other day, of how everyone reacted. Nothing makes me prouder than seeing how we handled it, how we backed up Vinicius, and how we played on through it.”
Asked directly about Mourinho’s interpretation of the situation, Arbeloa avoided personal criticism but rejected the framing of the Brazilian as someone who provoked the incident.
The pair share a long relationship from their time together at the Santiago Bernabeu, yet the current Madrid coach made his position unambiguous.
“Everyone saw what happened, we were all watching the game. That’s what’s really important, we can’t change the subject. We have a great opportunity ahead of us.”
“I don’t like to comment on what others think, not Kompany, not Mou, not anyone. Everyone is free to have their opinion, and I’m giving mine. Vini scored a fantastic goal and celebrated it as we’ve seen hundreds of times, players dancing, over many years, with many players regardless of their background. We can’t portray the victim as the provocateur. I repeat: nothing Vini has done on a football pitch justifies a racist act.”
UEFA have opened an investigation into the allegations and, if Prestianni is found guilty, regulations allow for a minimum ten-match suspension.
With no confirmed audio evidence beyond the testimonies of Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe, uncertainty remains over whether disciplinary action will follow, but Arbeloa called on the governing body to demonstrate real authority.
“Now it’s in UEFA’s hands. Now it’s time to show that it’s not just talk; they’ve been doing a good job at this for years.”
“It’s not up to me, it’s not my place to know how UEFA should react. I do believe there should be a sanction. We have a good opportunity to mark a turning point. We know the passion that football stirs, but what happened is intolerable.
“Vinicius is deciding matches, scoring amazing goals, carrying the team on his back… And he’s not afraid. He can go through situations like the other day and still come back on the pitch. We all receive insults, unfortunately, but I’ve never been insulted because of my skin colour.
“I don’t know if I’d be able to deal with it, to go back on the pitch like he did. We’re going to be by his side, defending him.”
Real Madrid now travel to El Sadar looking to maintain their advantage over Barcelona at the top of La Liga before turning their attention to the return leg of their Champions League tie against Benfica next week.
