Ancelotti criticises Vinicius Junior’s two-match ban “Unfair”

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has slammed the two-match La Liga ban handed to Vinicius Junior following his red card against Valencia, calling it “unfair.”

Vinicius was sent off during Madrid’s 2-1 victory at Mestalla on Friday for pushing Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the neck. The suspension means the Brazilian winger will miss league matches against Las Palmas and Real Valladolid later in January but remains eligible for the Spanish Super Cup.

Speaking in Saudi Arabia ahead of Madrid’s semi-final clash against Mallorca, Ancelotti defended his player. “Both he and I hear what happens in the stadiums, the insults… the ban is not right,” he said.

Read Also: Vinicius Jr handed two-match ban for hitting Valencia goalkeeper

The 24-year-old forward was subjected to jeers and chants from Valencia fans during the game. La Liga confirmed on Wednesday that Valencia supporters had reported chants of “stupid, stupid” to the Spanish football federation’s anti-violence committee.

Ancelotti expressed frustration over the recurring scrutiny surrounding Vinicius. “I’m tired because when people talk about Vinicius provoking (people), they’re deflecting from the insults he receives from everyone,” he said. “We are delighted with Vinicius in all ways.”

The incident adds to Vinicius’s tumultuous relationship with opposing fans, including a high-profile confrontation with Valencia supporters in 2022 over racial abuse.

The Spanish Super Cup semi-finals feature Barcelona facing Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, followed by Real Madrid’s matchup with Mallorca.