La Liga, the Spanish football league, said on Saturday that it will ‘formally report and request the immediate arrest of the instigators behind a hate campaign seeking to promote racist and derogatory acts’ against Vinícius Júnior at Sunday night’s derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
The social media campaign is based on a hashtag encouraging Atletico fans to wear face masks, apparently to make it more difficult for authorities to identify individuals who participate in racist chants or insults.
Vinícius has been particularly targeted by racist slurs in away games for Real Madrid over recent seasons. One of the ugliest attacks against the Brazil forward came before a derby against Atletico in January 2023 when an effigy of him was hung from a bridge. Four people were arrested for the dummy hanging and are now facing criminal charges that could send them to prison for four years. ALSO READ: Vinícius breaks down while talking about racist insults he’s suffered in Spain.
La Liga says it will ask police to find and detain the promoters of the face covering campaign. It said the campaign is intended to ‘incite hate’.
‘The league energetically condemns these actions that encourage, promote or incite directly or indirectly hatred against a given person, in this case is Vinícius Júnior, for motives of race,’ the league said in a statement.
‘La Liga will not tolerate such behaviour under any circumstances. These acts not only harm the image of the sport and our country, but also pose a direct threat to the integrity and well-being of all fans,’ the statement read.
‘Furthermore, La Liga wishes to highlight the exemplary and civic behaviour of the vast majority of fans, who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the values of sport. Many have actively helped identify perpetrators of hate crimes in the past, such as in the regrettable incidents involving racist chants. Thanks to their cooperation, we have been able to take the necessary measures to eradicate such behaviour and ensure an atmosphere of respect in football,’ it said.
ALSO READ: Real Madrid star Bellingham is ‘used to horrible, serious problem’ of racist abuse in Spain.
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