Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior sent off for brawl after alleged racism at Mestalla

Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat by Valencia was overshadowed by alleged racist abuse from the stands directed at Vinícius Júnior, who was later sent off, with Carlo Ancelotti insisting afterwards that the game should have been abandoned.

The match was halted for 10 minutes in the second half as Vinícius pointed out fans to the referee who he said had racially abused him. The Brazilian carried on playing but was sent off a few minutes later after he became involved in a brawl with Valencia players.

“I don’t want to talk about football today, there is no meaning in talking about football today,” said Real manager Ancelotti afterwards. “What we saw today is unacceptable. An entire stadium chanting racist slurs, I told the referee that he should have stopped the match.”

Ancelotti said Vinícius’s reaction was “understandable” in the circumstances. “I asked him if he wanted to keep playing, and he stayed in the game,” the Italian said. “La Liga have a problem here. For me Vinícius is the most important player in the world. La Liga has a problem, these episodes of racism have to stop the match.

“It’s the entire stadium that is insulting a player with racist chants and the match has to stop. I would say the same if we were winning 3-0, there is no other way. Vinícius is very sad, he is angry. Something like this can’t happen in the world we live in.”

Diego López struck in the first half for a 1-0 win that moves Valencia further away from relegation danger. With three games to go, Valencia are 13th in La Liga on 40 points, five clear of the relegation spots. Real are third on 71 points, 14 behind champions Barcelona, who secured the title last week with four games to spare.