During Real Madrid’s victory against Valencia (2-1), Vinícius Jr. was sent off in the 79th minute for a gesture deemed violent against goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. The referee of the match, César Soto Grado, justified the red card by relying on VAR images showing a deliberate strike.
This incident could earn the Brazilian winger a suspension of 4 to 12 matches according to article 103 of the regulations, or a lighter sanction of 2 to 3 matches if the gesture is reclassified as “violent conduct”. Real Madrid hopes for a reduction in the sentence, in particular because of the repeated racist provocations suffered by the player.
Real Madrid denounces systemic racism
At the same time, Real Madrid compiled racist insults heard during this match in Valencia, where Vinícius was called a “monkey” and other offensive terms. This is not the first time that the Brazilian international has been the victim of such acts, particularly at Mestalla. Carlo Ancelotti, his coach, denounced an “intolerable” situation: “It is difficult to put yourself in his place and bear everything that is happening. Racism remains very present in the stands and it is a scourge that must be eradicated. »
Vinícius, voted best player of the year by FIFA, risks missing the Spanish Super Cup scheduled for Thursday against Mallorca in Saudi Arabia, but his club continues to ardently defend his cause.
