Four people have been arrested in connection with the hanging of an effigy of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr back in January, Spanish police have announced.
A hate crime investigation was launched by police after an inflatable doll, donning a Vinicius Jr shirt, appeared under one of the bridges in the Spanish capital.
The effigy was hung alongside a banner that reads: 'Madrid hates Real Madrid'.
The incident occurred prior to Real Madrid's Copa del Rey clash against Atletico Madrid.
Spanish police confirmed the arrest of four men from an ultras group, with three having previously been 'identified during matches classified as high risk.'
'The investigation began on January 26 after the appearance of an inflatable mannequin hanging from a bridge wearing a Real Madrid player Vinicius shirt,' a police statement read.
'In addition, a 16-meter banner was displayed in the same place that read “Madrid hates Real”.
'The investigations carried out by the investigators through traces, witnesses or consultations in open sources, among others, allowed the identification of four men as alleged perpetrators of the events.
'In addition, the agents were able to verify that three of the alleged perpetrators belonged to a group of ultras fans of a Madrid club and that, previously, they had been identified during matches classified as high risk within the violence prevention devices in sport.
'Once the four alleged perpetrators were identified, a device was carried out this morning that allowed their arrest in a coordinated operation with the Investigating Court number 38 of Madrid and the Cyberhate Section of the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.'
The incident had been condemned by both Atletico and Real Madrid in January, along with LaLiga.
Vinicius Jnr had previously been targeted by Atletico fans, who allegedly called him a 'monkey', during their game at the Civitas Metropolitano on September 18, 2022.
The Brazilian has repeatedly been subjected to racist abuse this season, with the latest incident occurring during Real's 1-0 loss to Valencia on Sunday.
He was subjected to racist chants before and during the game at the Mestalla Stadium.
Vinicius Jnr gave a stinging criticism of LaLiga and the Spanish Football Federation following the match, declaring that Spanish football has reached a new low after previously having a league that was the envy of Europe.
'It wasn't the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in LaLiga,' Vinicius Jnr wrote.
'The competition thinks it's normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I'm so sorry.
'The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world.
'I'm sorry for the Spaniards who don't agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. And unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defense. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here.'
Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales has admitted there is a 'serious problem' with racism, with the official pledging to work tirelessly to combat the issue.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has claimed that 'neither Spain nor LaLiga are racist', with the official claiming Vinicius Jnr's criticism of the organisation was 'very unfair'.
Vinicius Jnr released a damning statement on Monday, stating the abuse he has been subjected to this season has been 'inhuman' and revealed he had also received death threats.
Vinicius Jnr's hometown of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil turned off the lights of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue on Corvocado in solidarity with the player.
Barcelona manager Xavi issued a message of support for the Brazilian flair player and accused football of being 'the only profession in which insults are accepted'.
Vinicius was also comforted by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Perez held a meeting with the player on Monday where he explained how the club will defend him after Real confirmed they plan to tackle legal action over the latest 'hate crime' on Sunday.
Teetorh24
0
You dey mad
😂chillax mate na sense he no get
zocadklnuy
0
I wonder why a black man complain when he's called black. hmm
You dey mad
Tusdmrstz
0
I wonder why a black man complain when he's called black. hmm
laaacdemry
1
He's playing for a Spanish club and he's been treated this way by some Spanish.... I don't get it at all.
It's the jealous spanish rival teams that treat him that way, so as to get to him mentally and bring him down
Lesbemrtyz
2
Very good talent because isn’t white god push them
Lesbemrtyz
0
Evening in filed of praying my brother life is not like that
jidabcdruz
1
he must came home to player with casamiro nd antony
Riteiklu
3
what was the referee doing in the pitch! this incidence pains me alot
Zazdeiklmp
3
Vini Jr is one of the best players in today's footballing world. no wonder he is the subject of attacks. my dear Vini don't mind the loosers, they are jealous 9f your talent .
Demaeknu
1
Vini jr the time to move on is now that people are recist in nature.
ephraimpara85
1
It happened in January we want that of yesterday we're in May stop fooling us
they are back dated so the recent on will be dealt with somewhere in June 2024. That's when they'll arrest the perpetrators. So disappointing
ephraimpara85
0
In Zimbabwe monkeys and baboons are our totems. So being called a monkey/Soko is like you're being appreciated and praised especially when you are doing good. It's just that it was a Brazilian who is being called a monkey, not a Zimba. If it was a Zimba player who originates from villages like Mrehwa hearing a small set of fans calling him monkey, he would have encourage the whole stadium to say it louder bcoz men in Zim likes it very to called by their totems. It gives them the drive to perfom better in whatever they do. So to all the racist, never make a mistake of calling a Zimbabwean man (depending on tribes), a *Monkey/Soko* if u want to discourage him. Coz u will here unexpected response like "Hey maaan! whaaaatsup👍!!" or "Sorry maaan! not a monkey, but a Baboon of Mukanya tribe maaan! But anyway how are doing?" Anyway I say ●No to Racism●
ziecdesu
1
This thing started long ago but their not doing anything about it all because they don't value blacks at all
I remember one time an opposition fan threw banana to Dani Alves just as when he was going to take a corner kick....what was done? nothing.
ziecdesu
1
I think these people hate him because the way his playing no Spanish player can compare himself to VINI that's why they hated him
He's playing for a Spanish club and he's been treated this way by some Spanish.... I don't get it at all.
doubekmpu
6
I think these people hate him because the way his playing no Spanish player can compare himself to VINI that's why they hated him
sosdilnz
4
This thing started long ago but their not doing anything about it all because they don't value blacks at all
Yuzaeimosz
2
Vinicius Jr please come to Manchester United, its ur home 🏡 in brief. leave these idiots.
Lisiknopsz
3
It happened in January we want that of yesterday we're in May stop fooling us
Treks
1
And yet many were saying trash about him , saying he should drop his aggression and other ways of playing . Nonsense talk When Vini was bad when he came in newly, was there any racism attack on him ? I remember when Benzema was telling his other players not to pass to him did he reacted bad on that . Did anyone notice him then ?? Now that is one of the best attacker , that even Madrid look up to him; Y’all now saying trash about him. Put yourselves in his shoes and show us how u will react to this kind of attacks 😏😏
PemiOladapo
3
So they know these people but decided to do nothing till the backlash from Vinicius! And Tebas really wanted us to believe that Spain is not racist?
mocabdestu
1
So they had to wait for another incidence against Vinicius in order to do the arrests
Seyberyz
2
the effigy incident that happened barely FUVE months ago (January), why is that only two days after Vini decided to take the matter into hus own hands that the Spanish police just arrested the four perpetrators? That very, very curious and worrisome for me. The other clear message from this is: abused players need to stand up for themselves and not wait for supposed relevant authorities to act, for they may never do.
yascdopstz
0
Welcome to LFC ,,
donreal1990
2
so is it today you guys should start taking actions and what's their names?
jemdlnorsz
2
will those morons let vini play football? who cares what color he is? he is a great player. let's enjoy watching him play.
Lokbinst
5
Vinicus Jr has been treated badly in Spain and that's the clear fact. The authorities were not doing anything to solve the problem.