Wednesday, October 23

Four arrested on suspicion of hanging effigy of Vinicius Jr off bridge in Madrid

Four individuals have been arrested on suspicion of hanging an effigy of Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr off a bridge in Spain’s capital in January, police have stated.

A hate crime investigation was opened after the effigy was hung with the star’s quantity 20 shirt from a bridge in entrance of Real Madrid’s coaching floor.

It was hung alongside a 16-metre crimson and white banner that learn “Madrid hates Real”.

The arrests had been made days after the Brazilian footballer renewed his assault on La Liga and the Spanish authorities – revealing how he has acquired dying threats this season.

Real Madrid lodged a hate crime criticism with Spanish prosecutors after the Brazilian participant was focused with racist abuse throughout their 1-0 defeat away at Valencia on Sunday.

Valencia stated police have recognized a fan who made racist gestures at Vinicius Jr and that particular person faces a lifetime stadium ban from the Mestalla floor.

The lights on Brazil’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue had been turned off for an hour on Monday evening in solidarity with Vinicius Jr.

The Archdiocesan Sanctuary, which manages the monument, carried out the act in cooperation with the Brazilian FA and the Observatory of Racial Discrimination in Football.

“The Christ the Redeemer Archdiocesan Sanctuary repudiates the racist attacks suffered by the Brazilian player Vinicius Jr,” it stated.

The lights on the Christ the Redeemer statue were switched off in solidarity with Vinicius Jr
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The lights on the Christ the Redeemer statue had been switched off in solidarity with Vinicius Jr

“The lighting of the monument will be switched off as a symbol of the collective fight against racism and in solidarity with the player and all those who suffer prejudice around the world.”

In his newest tweet, the 22-year-old winger highlighted what he described as “continuous episodes spread across several cities in Spain”.

He wrote: “Every round away from home is an unpleasant surprise. And there were many this season. Death wishes, hanged doll, many criminal screams… All registered.

“But the speech at all times falls on ‘remoted instances’, ‘a fan’. No, these usually are not remoted instances. They are steady episodes unfold throughout a number of cities in Spain (and even in a tv programme).

“The evidence is there in the video. Now I ask: how many of these racists had names and photos exposed on websites? I answer to make it easier: zero.”

He requested what was lacking to “criminalise these people” and “punish clubs”, including: “Why don’t sponsors charge La Liga?

“The drawback may be very severe and communications not work. Not blaming me to justify felony acts both. You usually are not soccer, you’re inhuman.”

Madrid‘s match against Valencia was paused on Sunday night after the half-time break as the Brazilian pointed out supporters who were taunting him to the referee.

Vinicius, who has been racially abused from the stands several times this season, was enraged, prompting teammates and opposition players to try to calm him down.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, left, confronts Valencia fans as Antonio Rudiger tries to calm him down during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valencia and Real Madrid, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, May 21, 2023. The game was temporarily stopped when Vinicius said a fan had insulted him from the stands. He was later sent off after clashing with Valencia players. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)
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Vinicius Jr (L) confronts Valencia followers as Real Madrid teammate Antonio Rudiger tries to calm him down

He tweeted after the sport: “It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. In football they think it’s normal, the federation does too – and the opponent encourages it.

“I’m so unhappy. The championship that when belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] Messi at this time belongs to racism.

“A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world.

“I’m sorry for the Spaniards who do not agree however at this time, in Brazil, Spain is named a rustic of racists. And sadly, for one thing that occurs every week, I’ve no defence. I let it occur.

“But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if it is far from here.”

La Liga president Javier Tebas responded to Vinicius’s publish on Sunday by accusing the ahead of “criticising and insulting” the league.

In one other tweet on Monday, Tebas stated: “Neither Spain nor La Liga are racist. It is very unfair to say this.”

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr pictured at the first leg of the Champion's League semi final against Manchester City in Madrid on 9 May
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Vinicius Jr pictured on the first leg of the Champion’s League semi-final in opposition to Manchester City in Madrid on 9 May

‘Attacks represent a hate crime’

In a strongly-worded assertion, the 22-year-old’s membership stated: “Real Madrid CF shows its strongest revulsion and condemns the events that took place yesterday against our player Vinicius Jr.

“These details represent a direct assault on the coexistence mannequin of our social and democratic state of regulation.

“Real Madrid considers that such attacks also constitute a hate crime, for which reason it has filed the corresponding complaint with the state attorney general’s office.”

Content Source: information.sky.com