Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has come out to say that UEFA must take decisive action following the alleged racial abuse of Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian superstar was reportedly targeted by Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni during last week’s Champions League play-off first leg, a match that was halted for ten minutes after the incident.
Speaking ahead of the return leg at the Bernabeu, Arbeloa insisted that the time for empty gestures has passed and called for a meaningful investigation into the clash.
He added that Vini has never been distracted amid repeated instances of discrimination throughout his career in Spain.
His words, “We have a great opportunity to mark a turning point in the fight against racism. UEFA, which has always been a champion of this fight against racism, has the opportunity to do more than just leave it as a slogan, or a nice banner before matches. And let’s hope – or rather, I hope – that they seize this opportunity.
As we’ve said, as I’ve said… on playing at a high level, putting on a great performance. On doing things right on the pitch and delivering a great performance so we can win the game. That’s what we’re most focused on. That’s where we’re putting all our energy and effort. And that’s what we want to see tomorrow. The rest, obviously, isn’t our concern. Or at least, it’s not up to us to make those kinds of decisions. That has to be UEFA’s.
He’s doing very well, very well. He’s really eager and, as you say, very motivated for these kinds of matches. The truth is, since I arrived, he’s been performing exceptionally well; he’s been a game-changer, which is what any coach wants, to have a player like Vinicius Junior on the pitch. We’re aiming to get the most out of him. We want him to have opportunities on the field where he can demonstrate his full potential. And then he’s… a very important guy in the dressing room, with a lot of character. He’s a leader, and we need him to enjoy himself again tomorrow and have another great game.”
WOW.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, commonly referred to as Real Madrid, is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid. The club competes in La Liga, the top tier of Spanish football.
Real Madrid has maintained the white shirt for its home kit throughout the history of the club. There was, however, one season that the shirt and shorts were not both white. It was an initiative undertaken by Juan Padrós in honor of an English team Corinthian F.C., which he had met on one of his trips, one of the most famous teams at the time known for its elegance and sportsmanship.
It was under Florentino Pérez’s first presidency (2000–2006) that Real Madrid started its ambition of becoming the world’s richest professional football club. The club ceded part of its training grounds to the city of Madrid in 2001, and sold the rest to four corporations: Repsol YPF, Mutua Automovilística de Madrid, Sacyr Vallehermoso and OHL.
Hala Madrid is a magazine published quarterly for the Real Madrid club members and the Madridistas Fan Club card holders. The phrase Hala Madrid, meaning “Forward Madrid” or “Go Madrid”, is also the title of the club’s official anthem, which is often sung by the Madridistas (the club’s fans).
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