Real Madrid has taken a formal step to defend its Brazilian star Vinicius Junior, submitting "all available evidence" to UEFA. This move comes in response to the unfortunate incidents that occurred during the team's match against Benfica in Lisbon last Tuesday, in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 playoff.

Details of Real Madrid's official move

Real Madrid issued an official statement on Thursday confirming its full and active cooperation with the UEFA investigation. The statement read: "Our club has cooperated fully with the investigation launched by UEFA following the unacceptable racist incidents that occurred during this match." The club emphasized its unwavering commitment to continuing its work to "eradicate racism, violence, and hatred in sport and society," and expressed its deep gratitude for the global consensus and support the player has received from various stakeholders in the football world.

Mutual accusations and ongoing investigations

The case revolves around accusations made by Vinicius Junior against Benfica player Gianluca Brestiani, alleging that Brestiani called him a "monkey" during the match that ended in a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid. While the young Argentinian player denied these accusations on his Instagram account, the evidence presented by Real Madrid extends beyond the altercation between the two players. Multiple videos circulating on social media and reported by the Spanish press documented racist behavior and offensive gestures from a section of fans in the stands of the Estádio da Luz, thus explaining the comprehensive nature of the evidence cited in Real Madrid's statement.

Vinicius: A symbol in the fight against racism

The events in Lisbon cannot be separated from the broader context of what Vinicius Junior has faced in recent years. The Brazilian star has become a global icon in the fight against racism in football stadiums, following a series of incidents in La Liga, most notably the infamous incident at the Mestalla stadium. These incidents led FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, to appoint Vinicius to head a special anti-racism committee, lending international weight and significant influence to any complaint filed by the player or his club.

A true test of UEFA's policies

This case puts UEFA to a real test of its declared "no racism" policies. The sporting world is awaiting the results of the investigation, as a conviction against either Prestini or Benfica fans could lead to severe disciplinary sanctions under European regulations, including hefty fines or partial stadium bans. This incident serves as a reminder that football's fight against discrimination continues, and that protecting players requires decisive action that goes beyond mere slogans.

The technical staff of the first football team of Al-Ettifaq Club, led by national coach Saad Al-Shehri, received good news a few hours before the anticipated match against Al-Fateh, as it was confirmed that the professional duo, South African Mohau Nkota and Serbian Matija Glusevic, are ready to enter the team’s list and participate in the match, which comes within the competitions of the twenty-third round of the Saudi Professional League.

Additional tactical options for Saad Al-Shehri

The return of the duo represents a significant tactical option for coach Saad Al-Shehri, who intends to include one of them in the starting lineup to bolster Al-Faisaly's attacking prowess. This readiness comes at a crucial juncture in the season, as the team seeks to improve its position in the standings and capitalize on home advantage in the always fiercely contested and exciting "Eastern Derby.".

Numbers Language: What did Nikota and Glušević deliver?

Looking at the statistics that reflect the players' impact, South African winger Mohau Nkouta has participated in 16 matches for Al-Nawakhda this season, proving his effectiveness by scoring two goals and providing three assists for his teammates in 1109 minutes of play, making him a valuable asset in the attacking third. In contrast, Serbian player Matija Gluscevic has participated in four matches, without scoring or assisting in 156 minutes of play. However, his return to fitness gives the coach depth on the bench and more rotation options during matches.

The two teams' positions in the Roshan League standings

This match takes on added importance given the two teams' positions in the league table. Al-Ettifaq enters the game in seventh place with 35 points, aiming to secure all three points to climb closer to the top spots and compete for a place in international competitions. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh, the visiting team, sits in tenth place with 24 points and is striving to improve its standing and secure its position in the safe zone, away from the complexities of relegation.

Date of the Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Fateh match

Al-Ettifaq is scheduled to host Al-Fateh at 10 pm on Thursday, in a match expected to draw a large crowd of football fans in the Eastern Province, given the historical and geographical rivalry between the two clubs, as each side seeks to impose its dominance and win all the points in this crucial round of the league.

The coaching staff of Al-Ettifaq's first football team, led by national coach Saad Al-Shehri, breathed a sigh of relief after receiving a tremendous morale and tactical boost just hours before the highly anticipated Eastern Province derby. The readiness of the two foreign players – South African winger Mohau Nkouta and Serbian striker Matija Gluscevic – was definitively confirmed, allowing them to join the official squad that will face their neighbor and traditional rival, Al-Fateh.

Al-Shehri has a wide range of tactical options

This return represents a significant boost, granting coach Saad Al-Shehri considerable tactical flexibility and a wider range of options in attack. The coaching staff plans to field one of them as a key player in the starting lineup for the Al-Fateh match. Al-Shehri aims to bolster Al-Nassr's attacking prowess with this move, exploiting the players' high speed to break down the expected defensive formations of the opposition and create space in the final third.

Numbers Language: What did Nikota and Glušević deliver?

By focusing on the statistics that translate the players' actual impact on the pitch, we find that South African winger Mohau Nkouta has made a remarkable appearance for Al-Ettifaq this season. He participated in 16 matches, making his mark by scoring two goals and providing three crucial assists for his teammates, all within 1109 minutes of play. This makes him an indispensable asset for the coach. On the other hand, Serbian player Matija Gluscevic is still searching for his true breakthrough, having participated in only four matches, totaling 156 minutes of play, without scoring or assisting any goals. He is striving to prove his worth and provide the desired contribution to Al-Ettifaq's fans.

Date of the Eastern Province derby and the teams' positions in the standings

Al-Ettifaq Stadium will host this crucial football match at 10:00 PM this Thursday, as part of the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. The home team enters the match in seventh place with 35 points, aiming to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to secure three points and climb into the top four. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh sits in tenth place with 24 points, hoping to improve their position and move away from the relegation zone in the middle of the table, making the match wide open.

The importance of the Eastern Derby and the history of the rivalry

The match between Al-Ettifaq and Al-Fateh holds special significance beyond the three points; it represents the "Eastern Province Derby," a rivalry steeped in history and fueled by the intense competition between these two regional powerhouses. Historically, encounters between the two teams have always been thrilling and high-scoring, with each side striving to assert its regional dominance and delight its fans. Al-Ettifaq is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Saudi Arabia, boasting a rich history of championships, while Al-Fateh possesses the mentality of a champion (having previously won the league title), adding an extra layer of excitement to the match.

The impact of the result on the league's trajectory

In the context of the overall competition in the Saudi Professional League, which has garnered global attention, winning at this stage of the season is crucial for solidifying positions before the final stretch. For Al-Ettifaq, a victory would confirm their technical stability and maintain pressure on the leading teams in the race for continental qualification. As for Al-Fateh, a positive result would restore the team's lost balance and give them the confidence needed to finish the season in a position befitting the club's stature.