So-called Atlético hung an effigy of the Brazilian winger near his training ground on the eve of quarterfinal derby.
Madrileños woke up on Thursday morning expecting the build-up to a crucial Copa del Rey match expecting to read about injury reports and suspensions before the cities biggest teams face-off tonight. Instead, disgusting images circulated on social media of Atlético fans hanging a model of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior from a bridge.
The text reads: “Madrid hates Real”.
La Liga released a statement “strongly condemn acts of hatred and intimidation against Vinicius Junior.”
It is not the first time Atlético fans have attacked Vinicius. The last time the two sides faced-off in September of last year there were monkey chants aimed at the player. La Liga took no action, declaring it happening “in a context of huge rivalry”.
Despite the mounting evidence of racist attacks against Vinicius there has been no action taken by authorities to ban fans accused of racism. La Liga chief Javier Tebas said in December that Vinicus’ criticism of the league’s response to racism was “unfair”, comments coming after the winger took to Instagram to vent his frustration after being pelted by debris from Valladolid fans in a 2-0 win.
The full statement from Atlético
“In view of the image that appeared today in various media outlets in which a message of hatred was launched in the hours before the match that will face us tonight against Real Madrid in the quarter finals of the Copa de S.M. el Rey, Club Atlético de Madrid communicates:
That such acts are absolutely repugnant and inadmissible and shame society. Our condemnation of any act that attacks the dignity of persons or institutions is categorical and unreserved.
The rivalry between the two clubs is the greatest, but so is respect. No individual, whatever their intentions or colours, can tarnish the coexistence between different supporters. It is everyone’s responsibility to avoid this.
We do not know the perpetrator or perpetrators of this despicable act, but their anonymity does not avoid their responsibility. We hope that the authorities succeed in clarifying what happened and that justice helps to banish this type of behaviour.”
Club Atlético de Madrid.