JAKARTA - Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said that opposing supporters should stop shouting insults to defender Raul Asencio.
The Copa del Rey semifinals on Thursday, February 27, 2025, early morning WIB, were suspended after Real Sociedad supporters shouted "Asencio, dead". Ancelotti then replaced him in the first half.
Asencio, 22, has been a routine target for supporters of opponents for its alleged role in the spread of sexually explicit videos involving minors.
"He's fine now, but he's affected. It's natural (to be affected) after what happens in the game. However, after a few days, he's ready to play tomorrow."
"There is something that shouldn't happen, but the protocol has been implemented properly."
"If that happens again, then the referee must apply the protocol again as the referee did at the time of the day," Ancelotti said in a press conference ahead of the match against Real Betis in La Liga.
The match against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey first leg semifinal was stopped just before the break when referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez was told about the chant by Real Madrid captain Vinicius Junior.
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The referee activated Spain's anti-hate protocol, which stated that initially, a message was displayed on the stadium's big screen and read out over loudspeakers.
Ancelotti then issued Asencio for the incident. However, he said the furore surrounding the academy graduates would not change his team's choice for the next.
"We feel that this is something that shouldn't happen, period. Humiliation shouldn't happen, but it won't affect whether I put it in the team or not," said Ancelotti.
Earlier this month, a court in the Canary Islands ruled that an investigation into Asencio should continue.
He is suspected of having shared a sexual video recorded by three other former Real Madrid academy players from a meeting with two girls, one of whom is a minor, in June 2023.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti praised Vinicius and his forward colleagues for making the team more solid by working harder without the ball in recent weeks.
Although he had just slipped at Real Betis' headquarters in the La Liga match, Sunday, March 2, 2025, early morning WIB, Ancelotti believed his troops would rise in the next match.
"Vinicius helped a lot. The team has changed a lot in the sense that the attackers are working hard. The team is more solid in that regard."
"We've talked about it many times. Not only with Vinicius, but with the whole team. All teams agree with this."
"Obviously there has been a change in that in recent weeks. I think since Atletico Madrid's match (on February 9, 2024) the team has changed in terms of defense," said the coach.
Real Madrid have played without Dani Ceballos since fighting Betis last weekend after the midfielder was sidelined for two months, while Federico Valverde has also missed the game due to injury.
Ancelotti said Valverde will return for the first leg of the Champions League last 16 against Atletico Madrid at Bernabeu on March 5, 2025.
Kylian Mbappe has also returned to availability after his molar teeth were lifted. He has already started the match against Betis until the 75th minute.
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