May 24, (THEWILL) – Real Madrid took a powerful stand against racial abuse as players walked out onto the pitch before their match against Rayo Vallecano on Thursday, all wearing No. 20 shirts, the number of Vinicius Junior’s shirt.
This gesture was a strong show of support for their teammate, who had been subjected to racial abuse during a previous game. The Brazilian forward was sent off at Valencia on Sunday, after reacting to the appalling racial abuse he endured from a section of home fans.
In response to the incident, the Spanish Football Federation has taken significant steps, including closing part of the Valencia stadium, rescinding Vinicius’ red card, and slamming a fine of €45,000 (£39,000) on the club. Furthermore, seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident and subsequent events.
During the match against Vallecano, Vinicius was present in the stands at the Bernabeu and received a heartfelt tribute from the crowd. In the 20th minute of the game, the entire stadium rose to give Vinicius a standing ovation, a moment specially timed to match his shirt number. Real Madrid’s basketball team also joined the show of solidarity, donning No. 20 shirts. A large tifo was displayed as well, creating an atmosphere of unity and support.
Despite the distressing experience, Head Coach, Carlo Ancelotti, revealed that Vinicius has no intention of leaving Spain or Real Madrid, indicating his determination to continue playing and contributing to the team.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
