CNN
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Vinicius Jr scored against Atletico Madrid in Real Madrid 3-1 victory in the quarter-finals of the King’s Cup On Thursday after an effigy of the star was hanged from a bridge in Madrid before the match.
Álvaro Morata gave Atlético the lead in the first half, but Rodrigo’s stunning goal sent the quarter-finals into extra time.
Atletico dropped to 10 players after Stefan Savic was sent off after picking up two yellow cards, with goals from Karim Benzema and Vinicius sealing victory for Real Madrid.
After scoring his goal, Vinicius walked away screaming and clenching his fists before dancing, an act that had previously drawn offense from opposing fans.
After the match, the 22-year-old Brazil international posted a picture of himself on Instagram Social media With the caption “Vienna loves Madrid! There is only one!”
On Friday morning, Vinicius posted another message saying, “Love will always hate.”
The Spanish National Police has opened an investigation into a “possible hate crime,” the press office of the National Police of the Region of Madrid told CNN on Thursday.
In videos widely seen on social media, the doll – who was wearing a Real Madrid jersey bearing Vinicius’ name and the number 20 on the back – was shown hanging on a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground with a banner on it. Read: “Madrid hates Real.”
Police from Hortaleza station, closest to the bridge, went to remove it as soon as they became aware of the doll on Thursday morning at around 8:30 a.m. local time (2:30 a.m. ET), but when they arrived, a sign read “Madrid hates Real” and the press office said. It is no longer hanging there.
in Statement released on TwitterThe Spanish League said it “strongly condemns the acts of hate and intimidation against Vinicius Junior”.
“La Liga, as in the past, will push for an investigation into the matter by the relevant state security forces and organs, seeking the conviction of those responsible and demanding the most severe penalties.”
Atlético said the statue was “abhorrent and unacceptable” and that it was “embarrassing.”[es] Society.”
“Our condemnation of any act that offends the dignity of people or institutions is absolute and unequivocal,” the club said. in the current situation.
“The rivalry between the two clubs is extreme, but so is the respect. No individual, whatever his intentions or colors, can spoil the coexistence of the two fan bases. It is everyone’s responsibility to avoid this.
We do not know who the author or authors of this despicable act were, but their anonymity does not help them evade responsibility. We hope that the authorities can clarify the circumstances and that justice will help keep these types of behaviours out.”
Real Madrid said that it “wants to thank the support and the signs of attention it received after the unfortunate and disgusting act of racism, xenophobia and hatred against our Viennese Junior player”.
“We strongly condemn these actions that violate people’s basic rights and dignity and have nothing to do with the values that represent football and sport,” he said in a statement.
“These attacks that our player is suffering from now, or those that any athlete could suffer from, can have no place in a society like ours.
“Real Madrid is confident that the responsibilities of everyone involved in these despicable acts will be brought to light.”
Vinicius has previously faced racist abuse from opposition fans.
In Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Real Valladolid on December 30 last year, Vinicius said he was subjected to racist abuse from fans, with videos on social media showing fans throwing objects at the striker as he left the pitch when he was substituted.
Reuters reported Vinicius later accused La Liga of inaction with regard to racist abuse, which La Liga said “a criminal charge of hate crimes has been filed with the Magistrates’ Courts of Valladolid, supported by audiovisual evidence gathered in the investigation conducted through images and audio clips published.” on open sources”.
According to Reuters, La Liga also said it would increase efforts to “eradicate any kind of violence, racism or xenophobia inside and outside stadiums”.
In September 2022, A group of Atlético fans were attacked The 22-year-old makes a racial slur during a League derby match.
In a video posted on Twitter by Spanish broadcaster COPE, a large group of Atlético supporters can be heard outside the Atleti Metropolitano stadium chanting: “You’re a monkey, Vinicius, you’re a monkey.”
Last December, Spanish prosecutors closed an investigation into direct racist chanting at Vinicius at Atletico’s Metropolitano stadium because prosecutors said it was not possible to determine who was to blame, a source in the prosecution told CNN.
It came after only two days Vinicius condemned What he described as the racist criticism he received for his Aim Dance celebrations.
Appearing on Spanish television in September, Pedro Bravo – principal agent and president of the Spanish Agents’ Association – compared the Brazilian’s post-goal dancing celebrations to the behavior of a monkey, arguing that the forward was disrespectful to his opponents and “should stop playing monkey.”
Many accused Bravo of using racist language on social media and he later apologized on Twitter.
During the derby, after Vinicius’ teammate Rodrigo opened the scoring and the two danced in celebration, several Atlético fans could be seen making gestures towards the Brazilian pair.
Vinicius discussed the racist abuse he suffered for his dance celebrations, saying: “They say happiness bothers them. The happiness of the victorious black Brazilian in Europe annoys much more.
“But my desire to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes is so much greater than that. You can’t even imagine it. I was the victim of a racist and xenophobic comment. But none of that started yesterday. Weeks ago they started criminalizing my dances. Dances that aren’t mine.
They belong to Ronaldinho and Neymar. [Lucas] Paquita [Antoine] Griezmann, João Félix, Matheus Cunha … belong to Brazilian funk, samba, reggae and black American singers.
“These are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it and respect it. I will not stop.”