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Atletico Madrid supporters have focused Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior with racial abuse forward of Thursday’s Copa del Rey assembly between the 2 rivals. A banner studying “Madrid hates Real” was unfurled close to Ciudad Deportiva and the inciteful textual content was accompanied by a big doll being hung by its neck. The determine was sporting the white package of Real and had Vinicius Junior’s identify and quantity on the again. The star attacker has a historical past of being the sufferer of racial abuse throughout his time in Spain. The Brazilian worldwide was focused by Atleti supporters when the 2 groups met earlier this season.
The textual content on the banner, hanging above the doll, is without doubt one of the slogans utilized by a recognized group of Atleti ultras that has displayed related banners through the years. Atletico issued an official assertion condemning the habits, saying “these are repugnant and inadmissible acts that disgrace society.”
“The rivalry between the 2 golf equipment is the best, however so is respect,” learn the assertion. “No particular person, no matter their intentions or colours, can tarnish the coexistence between completely different supporters. It is everybody’s duty to keep away from this.
“Club Atletico de Madrid communicates that such acts are completely repugnant and inadmissible and disgrace society. Our condemnation of any act that assaults the dignity of individuals or establishments is categorical and unreserved. The rivalry between the 2 golf equipment is the best, however so is respect. No particular person, no matter their intentions or colours, can tarnish the coexistence between completely different supporters. It is everybody’s duty to keep away from this. We have no idea the perpetrator or perpetrators of this despicable act, however their anonymity doesn’t keep away from their duty. We hope that the authorities achieve clarifying what occurred and that justice helps to banish any such habits.”
La Liga have additionally issued an announcement calling for an investigation into the incident and punishment for any responsible offenders efficiently recognized.
“La Liga strongly condemns acts of hatred and intimidation towards Vinicius Junior,” the assertion mentioned. “La Liga, as previously, will press for an investigation into the matter by related state safety forces and our bodies, looking for convictions for these accountable and requesting essentially the most extreme sentences.”
Similar banners have appeared across the Spanish capital because the Copa del Rey quarterfinal draw pitted these two rivals towards one another. Banners have been faraway from public view as lately as Wednesday however nothing was deemed as severe as this newest act of provocation.
