Real Madrid coach says Vinicius Jr. didn’t want to continue playing in game after racist chants | CBC Sports

Vinicius Junior was subjected to racist abuse in a Spanish league game yet again on Sunday with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti saying he considered replacing the Brazil forward.

Valencia fans appeared to chant “monkey” at the star after Madrid’s game at Mestalla Stadium had been temporarily stopped. Vinicius had said a fan insulted him from the stands, and Ancelotti said Vinicius initially didn’t want to continue playing.

Vinicius is Black and has been subjected to racist abuse since he came to play in Spain five years ago.

Vinicius had called to the referee around the 70th minute and started pointing to a person sitting among the Valencia supporters behind one of the goals at Mestalla Stadium. He went near the stands and confronted the fans while players from both teams tried to restore calm.

Police eventually arrived in the stands to deal with the supporters. An announcement was made asking fans to behave.

Ancelotti talked to Vinicius near the sidelines and he continued playing.

The match at Mestalla was stopped for nearly 10 minutes, and not long after it resumed Vinicius clashed with Valencia players and was sent off for pushing one of his opponents away with a hand to his face.

After the decision of his ejection was made following a video review, Vinicius started applauding ironically. As he was leaving the field, he made a “going down” gesture over relegation. That upset players on the Valencia bench and some charged toward Vinicius as he left the field, causing the game to be temporarily stopped again.