Police arrest 7 suspects of racist attacks against Vinícius Júnior

Spanish police on Tuesday arrested seven fans suspected of committing racist attacks against Vinícius Junior. The authorities carried out arrests in Madrid and also in the city of Valencia, in different cases of racist offenses against the Brazilian player.

In the Spanish capital, four were arrested for having hung a doll representing the Real player hanged from a road bridge in Madrid in January. Hours later, authorities in Valencia arrested three fans from the city who allegedly uttered racist words against the Brazilian in Sunday’s game between Real and the home team.

Authorities did not give details of the arrests. They only released images of the trio’s arrest, without showing their faces. According to Spanish newspapers, the police are still investigating the case, based on video analysis of inside and outside the Mestalla stadium, where Vinicius Júnior suffered the racist attacks.

In a statement, Valencia’s management reinforced its support for the investigation. “Valencia would like to confirm that the police have so far identified a total of three fans who made racist attacks on Vinicius Junior in the weekend’s game against Real Madrid,” the club said.

“Valencia is collaborating with the authorities in their investigation to stop racism in Mestalla. The club reiterates its strongest condemnation against racism and violence in all forms and is acting strongly against all persons identified with severe measures, such as the banned from our stadium.”

in defense

In the same statement, in addition to reiterating its stance against racism, Valencia’s management complained about the stance of some communication vehicles. And he denied that racist attacks predominated inside the Mestalla stadium on Sunday. “The match against Real Madrid was broadcast live and it is completely false that the entire stadium was shouting racist words,” the club said.

“There was a lot of confusion and misinformation in the public. Valencia wants to ask for greater responsibility and rigor. This is a very delicate issue and everyone must value the facts. We cannot accept that they label ‘Valencianismo’ (the team’s fans) as racist. No It’s true. We ask for respect.”

“Hanging”

The inflatable doll, with a Vinícius Júnior shirt, appeared hanging, simulating a hanging, on January 26, hours before Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Atlético de Madrid, in the Copa del Rey. With it, there was a banner with the words “Madrid hates Real”.

Following the attack, the Brazilian’s Spanish club denounced a “regrettable and disgusting act of racism, xenophobia and hatred against our player Vinícius”, declaring that they hope “that all the responsibilities of those who participated in this despicable act will be investigated”. An inquiry was immediately opened.

The investigation, based mainly on testimonies, established that these four suspected fans, “identified during games classified as high risk in the context of the prevention of violence in sport”, were the “presumed perpetrators” of the acts, declared the police.

The four people, arrested in Madrid, are allegedly responsible for a “hate crime”, informs the official police statement. Three of them are “active members of a radical group of supporters of a club in Madrid”. Prisoners are 19, 21, 23 and 24 years old.

Spanish media reported that local police had used security cameras to identify the perpetrators of the crime, but so far no action had been taken. The hate message on the banner is often used by one of the groups of Atlético de Madrid fans, who have denied being responsible for the display. Police did not immediately say whether the detainees had any connection with those fans.

Vinícius Junior has been the target of repeated racist attacks in Spain, especially after he started dancing to celebrate his goals. He denounced that the provocations became persecutions against him on the pitch. In six different cities in Spain, the Brazilian player suffered racist attacks.

In the last attack, at the weekend, the game against Valencia was temporarily interrupted after Vinícius heard part of the rival fans call him a “monkey” in the second half. He pointed to the place in the stands where the insults were coming from and referee Ricardo de Burgos decided to stop the match.

The match was resumed after a warning on the stadium’s sound system, which called for an end to racist demonstrations. Minutes later, in a widespread confusion on the field, the Brazilian left his arm in Hugo Duro’s face and was the only player expelled in stoppage time.

The Brazilian has received support from officials and athletes around the world and has strongly criticized Spanish football for not doing more to end racism. Valencia said police had identified one of the fans who allegedly insulted Vinicius during the game. Real Madrid took the case to the Public Ministry, deeming it a hate crime. The Spanish league has registered nine complaints of cases of racism against Vinicius in the last two seasons.