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FOOTBALL

Gareth Bale out for up to four months following ankle surgery

Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale could be out for up to four month after undergoing surgery on an injured right ankle, according to press reports in Spain.

Published: 2 December 2016 10:07 CET
Gareth Bale out for up to four months following ankle surgery
Photo: AFP

It was initially hoped that Bale could be back in action within two to three months after suffering the injury to the peroneal tendons in his ankle during Real's 2-1 Champions League win at Sporting Lisbon last week.


Photo: AFP

However, after undergoing surgery in London on Tuesday, Madrid sports daily AS reported the Welshman is unlikely to return before April.   

As well as a huge blow to Madrid's hopes in La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League, Bale's absence could prove fatal to Wales' chances of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

After a glorious run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, Chris Coleman's side trail Group D leaders Republic of Ireland by four points ahead of the sides meeting in Dublin on March 24th.

Bale is certain to miss Saturday's El Clasico against Barcelona, the Club World Cup later this month and the first leg of Real's last 16 Champions League tie.

RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

Published: 4 March 2024 13:41 CET
VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

https://twitter.com/GravesenFumado/status/1764242481984491822

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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