Atletico Madrid fans hung a mannequin complete with a Vinicius Real Madrid kit in the early hours of Thursday morning, accompanied by a banner reading "Madrid hates Real". Both La Liga and Atletico Madrid have spoken out to condemn the actions of the supporters in question ahead of the two clubs' Copa del Rey quarter-final clash.
Madrid have also released their own statement vowing that those responsible for the abuse aimed at Vinicius will be "purged".
"Real Madrid CF would like to thank the support and expressions of affection received after the unfortunate and disgusting act of racism, xenophobia and hatred against our player Vinicius," the club statement reads.
"We express our firmest condemnation of events that violate the fundamental rights and dignity of people, and that have nothing to do with the values that football and sport represent. These attacks like the ones our player now suffers, or those that any athlete can suffer, cannot have a place in a society like ours.
"Real Madrid is confident that all the responsibilities of those who have participated in such a despicable act will be purged."
Vinicius has been a victim of racial abuse from Atleti fans before, when the two teams clashed at the Wanda Metropolitano in September. Vinicius was jeered every time he touched the ball, and videos emerged of fans calling the Madrid player a "monkey" in vile chants.
The player has called on La Liga to act, but the league has done little to sanction perpetrators or their clubs.
SheharaJunior
514
I am with you Vini ❤️ go and thrash them
LKD
475
SAY NO TO RACISM ❌ The fans should know that football is all about love ❤️ We don't support hatred and xenophobia ❌ I stan with Vinicius Jr 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣
Kingflick1689
458
To be honest,the way Vinicius is treated is too harsh 😕😕😕
Benxe
391
Only two footballers have scored back to back hat-tricks in Champions League play-offs: . Cristiano Ronaldo: . ⚽⚽⚽ vs Bayern ⚽⚽⚽ vs Atlético Madrid . Karim Benzema: . ⚽⚽⚽ vs PSG ⚽⚽⚽ vs Chelsea . Both Real Madrid players! 💪
RaghibMustafa
341
A Samba will be perfect to silent the haters..
CentFrank
284
I am totally ashamed of atletico Madrid discrimination against vinicius Junior and I think this is very bad to human life and career, we all are one and will always say no to racism..WE ARE ONE1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣
Shmonny
279
The Kings of Europe! 🏆
CITYZENS24/7
238
Vini Jr's samba to Atletico after he scores against them today.