Spain’s national police have arrested four people believed to be Atletico Madrid fans responsible for a hate campaign against Real Madrid Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior.
The investigation began following three complaints filed by LaLiga ahead of Madrid’s 1-1 league draw at Atlético Madrid on Sept. 29.
Police confirmed to ESPN that those arrested incited fans through social media to go to the [Metropolitano] stadium to utter insults with racist connotations targeted at Vinícius.
Some fans had claimed on social media that they would attend the game at the Metropolitano wearing masks, enabling them to racially abuse Vinicius without being identified.
The 24-year-old has frequently been targeted with racist abuse from opposition fans since arriving in Spain in 2018, including at the Madrid derby.
Last year, four Atletico fans were charged after an effigy of Vinicíus was hung from a bridge.
In June, three Valencia fans were jailed for eight months for racially abusing Vinícius during a LaLiga game in May 2023, in the first verdict of its kind in Spain.
Last month, a Spanish court handed a 12-month suspended sentence to a Mallorca supporter that used racists insults against Vinícius and Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze in February 2023.
Vinicius is being tipped to be named the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner after helping Madrid win both La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles last season.
He bagged a hat-trick as Madrid came from 2-0 down to beat Borussia Dortmund on matchday 3 of the Champions League.
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His legs are on fire, his heart is racing, but his head is in the refrigerator – Ray Hudson.
Vinicius!
VINI, VIDI, VINCI!
Ridiculous performance against Dortmund.
Looks like the Ballon d’or is signed, sealed and delivered!