Arbeloa urges UEFA to ensure anti-racism campaign “isn’t just a nice banner before matches”
· Yahoo Sports
Álvaro Arbeloa insisted that Vini Jr is “very eager” to face Benfica again, and reiterated that “nothing justifies racism” ahead of Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League play-off second leg on Wednesday.
Last week’s first leg was marred by allegations of racism, with Gianluca Prestianni accused of racially abusing Vini Jr after the Brazilian scored the only goal of the game.
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Prestianni has been handed a one-match provisional suspension by UEFA, although he has travelled with the squad to Madrid as Benfica have lodged an appeal with the European governing body. José Mourinho will be missing from the technical area, too, having been dismissed for an unrelated incident later in the match.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s second leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Arbeloa confirmed that Vini Jr “is highly motivated for these types of matches.
“We aim to make the most of him, to create situations on the field where he can show all his potential. He’s very important in the dressing room, he’s a leader. We need him tomorrow to enjoy himself again and have a good match.
“Vini Jr has always shown great bravery and character. I don’t know how anyone else would react in his situation. He has always responded bravely, showing great personality. That has always been his response and it will continue to be because he’s a fighter.
“Tomorrow he will go out to fight and play a great match, to show that he’s one of the best players on the planet,” the Spaniard added.
Questioned on Prestianni’s provisional suspension, the Real Madrid boss insisted: “My opinion is the same as it was last week. We are facing a great opportunity to mark a turning point in the fight against racism.
“UEFA has always positioned itself strongly against racism and now has the opportunity to ensure it isn’t just a slogan or a nice banner before matches. I hope they take advantage of that opportunity.
But the 43-year-old admitted that “we don’t make those decisions, UEFA does,” and assured fans that his squad are “very focused on delivering a great performance, presenting a great image, doing things well on the pitch and performing at a high level so that we can win.”
Arbeloa’s managerial counterpart, José Mourinho, will serve a one-match suspension too, unrelated to Prestianni’s alleged offences. However, the Benfica boss drew criticism for his post-match press conference, in which he appeared to insinuate that Vini Jr was the victim of alleged racism because of his attempts to antagonise the crowd, and that the Portuguese club could not be racist, because Eusébio played for them more than half a century ago.
“I think the same as I said last week,” Arbeloa said.
“Vini Jr scored a very beautiful goal, and nothing he could do or has done on the pitch justifies an act of racism. That’s the most important thing. Nothing justifies racism.
“Just as the team is focused on playing a great match, so am I. Mourinho not being on the touchline won’t be the first time it’s happened. He has always prepared his teams well to perform at a high level in his absence. He will surely adjust many things from the first leg, and we hope to see a great match, a great spectacle and a Real Madrid win.”
Real Madrid v Benfica kicks off at 20:00 GMT at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday 25 February.