Four Arrested Over Racist Abuse Targeting Vinicius Junior Before Madrid Derby

Spanish authorities have arrested four individuals for their involvement in an online hate campaign targeting Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior. The arrests came just before last month’s Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid, where the campaign had aimed to incite racist behavior among fans.

The suspects were detained on October 14 and 15 following an investigation launched earlier this month. The investigation began after La Liga lodged three complaints about the online activity that urged Atletico fans to attend the match on September 29 wearing masks and hurling “degrading and discriminatory insults with racist connotations” at a Real Madrid player. While police did not explicitly name Vinicius in their initial statement, the focus of the campaign and the subsequent probe pointed to the Brazilian forward.

A police spokesperson highlighted the seriousness of the case, saying, “The incitement to racial hatred and the encouragement of such behavior are criminal acts that we will continue to investigate thoroughly.” The police added that further arrests could not be ruled out as the investigation remains active.

The Madrid derby itself was marred by incidents of violence and unruly behavior. During the match, Atletico fans disrupted the game by throwing objects, including lighters, onto the pitch, leading to a 15-minute suspension in the second half. The violence eventually resulted in a fine and a partial stadium closure for Atletico Madrid. The game concluded with a 1-1 draw.

Vinicius Junior, a 24-year-old Brazilian forward, has faced repeated racist abuse since joining Real Madrid in 2018. The player has been subjected to insults from opposition fans at several La Liga stadiums. His experience underscores the ongoing issue of racism in Spanish football.

One of the most alarming incidents occurred in January 2023, when a dark-skinned effigy wearing a Vinicius shirt was discovered hanging from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground. A banner reading “Madrid hates Real” accompanied the effigy. Following that incident, four Atletico fans were charged, and prosecutors have sought four-year prison sentences for those involved.

In response to the latest arrests, Real Madrid expressed support for Vinicius and reiterated its stance against racism. The club called for stronger measures to prevent such behavior from continuing in the sport. La Liga has also been vocal about addressing racism in football, stating that they remain committed to working with law enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable.