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Vinicius Junior subjected to racist abuse AGAIN as Carlo Ancelotti admits Brazil star & Real Madrid team-mate Raul Asencio were affected by crowd chants against Real Sociedad

Vinicius Jr has once again been subjected to racist abuse during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey win against Real Sociedad.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Los Blancos secured a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal clash thanks to a goal from Brazilian forward Endrick. However, their win was overshadowed by troubling incidents of racial discrimination, adding to a growing pattern of abuse aimed at Vinicius.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

As the match progressed, disturbing chants and gestures began to surface. Chants of “Asencio die” were allegedly heard in the stands, in what was a deeply troubling display of hostility aimed at the young defender. In addition to the verbal abuse, Diario AS captured footage of a Real Sociedad supporter making a monkey gesture towards Vinicius, further exacerbating the situation.

DID YOU KNOW?

As the abuse escalated, Spanish referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez took swift action, pausing the game in the dying moments of the first half. Stadium officials were then forced to issue a warning to the fans, threatening that the match could be suspended or abandoned if the chants did not cease.

WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID

“I think the referee acted well,” Ancelotti told reporters after the match while addressing the disturbing incidents.

“Vinicius spoke to the referee, stopped the game and activated the protocol. He did well. It is what he must do. I removed Asencio because of two things: he was affected (by the chants) and he had a yellow card. Nobody likes to be yelled at ‘die’. So he was affected. I preferred to remove him, because his feelings could affect him.”

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WHAT NEXT?

This incident is unfortunately not isolated. Vinicius Jr. has faced similar racial abuse in the past, including during matches at Mestalla and Son Moix. The situation reached a particularly disturbing point in 2023 when a group of Atletico Madrid ultras were arrested for hanging a mannequin dressed in a Vinicius Jr. shirt from a bridge, accompanied by a banner reading “Madrid hates Real.” These acts of racism have prompted a wider conversation about the need for greater accountability and harsher consequences for those who perpetrate such behaviour. Looking ahead, Ancelotti’s side will face Real Betis on Saturday in their next La Liga outing.