MADRID (AP) – Four men suspected of hanging an effigy of Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior off a highway bridge in Madrid in January have been arrested, Spanish police said yesterday.
The arrests come two days after the latest case of racial abuse against the Brazil forward in a Spanish league game against Valencia.
The effigy was hanged by the neck the morning of a derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey. Along with it was a banner with the words “Madrid hates Real”.
The perpetrators used a black figure with Vinícius’ name on it, tied a rope around its neck and hanged it from an overpass while still dark in the Spanish capital. Police said three of those arrested belonged to one of Atletico’s fan groups, and the other was a follower of the group. Some had prior bookings with police for other crimes.
The hate message on the banner is often used by Atletico’s ultras, though at the time they denied being responsible for the display. The men arrested are between the ages of 19 and 24. Authorities said some were previously identified during matches considered at high risk
of violence.
Police showed images of them arriving in handcuffs and escorted by agents yesterday.
Spanish media said police had used security cameras to identify the perpetrators but no action had been taken until now. Police did not say if the timing of the arrests had to do with the widespread attention being received by the latest abuse against Vinícius on Sunday.
Spain has been criticised worldwide for its lack of action in racism cases in football.
Brazilian government officials, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, had publicly expressed their concerns.
Vinícius has been subjected to repeated racist taunts in Spain, especially this season after he began celebrating his goals by dancing.
