Spain’s National Police said on Thursday that they have arrested four men suspected of inciting an online hate campaign targeting Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior before last month’s derby at Atletico Madrid.
The viral social media campaign before the 29 September clash encouraged Atletico fans to arrive at the club’s Metropolitano stadium and utter ‘degrading and discriminatory insults with racist connotations’ against a Real player, the police said.
Participants were urged to come wearing face masks to thwart attempts to identify them, police added in a statement without naming Vinícius. ALSO READ: La Liga condemns plan by some fans to racially abuse Vinícius while hiding behind face masks.
The investigation began at the start of this month following three complaints by La Liga and four males suspected of inciting hatred were arrested on 14 and 15 October.
Further arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation remains open, police added.
Opposition fans have singled out Vinícius for racist abuse at several La Liga stadiums since the Brazil forward, 24, joined Real Madrid in 2018.
In January 2023, a dark-skinned effigy wearing a Vinícius shirt was found hanging from a bridge near the club’s training ground alongside a banner saying: ‘Madrid hates Real’.
In December, four Atletico Madrid fans were charged over the incident, with prosecutors pushing for jail terms of four years.
Last month’s Madrid derby was also marred by a 15-minute suspension after Atletico fans hurled objects including lighters onto the pitch in the second half.
The violence eventually earned Atletico a fine and a partial stadium closure. The game ended 1-1.
ALSO READ: Vinícius breaks down while talking about racist insults he’s suffered in Spain.
ALSO READ: Real Madrid star Bellingham is ‘used to horrible, serious problem’ of racist abuse in Spain.
🚩Detenidos los 4 principales responsables de una campaña de odio contra un jugador de #fútbol
— Policía Nacional (@policia) October 24, 2024
La investigación se inició a raíz de 3 denuncias interpuestas por parte de @LaLiga
Incitaban a los aficionados a través de las #RRSS para que asistiesen al estadio a proferir… pic.twitter.com/ZhjHDApnyu
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