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Police make several arrests over Vinicius Jr racial abuse

Vinicius Jr at Real Madrid
© Ace Football
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The Spanish police have started to take action against the rising levels of racism aimed towards Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior.

On Tuesday, law enforcement in Spain apprehended seven individuals in connection with distinct cases of alleged racism targeting Real Madrid footballer Vinicius Junior.

Following the recent events, a hate crime investigation has been launched. The Spanish national police have announced seven arrests – four in Madrid and three in Valencia.

The police included video footage of one of the three young people arrested made in Valencia over racial abuse aimed at Vinicius in Sunday’s LaLiga game between Valencia CF and Real Madrid at the Mestalla.

In Madrid, police apprehended four individuals. The arrests were made in relation to an inflatable effigy, donning Vinicius’ No. 20 jersey in January. It was displayed from a bridge, alongside a 16-meter red and white banner representing the club’s local rival team Atletico Madrid, carrying the message “Madrid hates Real”.

According to the police, three of the four people arrested in Madrid were part of a “radical group of fans associated with a Madrid club”. This group had been identified as “high risk” in the past.

These arrests come after Real Madrid lodge a race-crime complaint. Several notable figures in football and across the world have publicly called for action. Meanwhile, Vinicius has slammed LaLiga and Spain on social media, calling the racial abuse ‘inhuman’.

In response, LaLiga has called for modifications to Spain’s laws, seeking greater authority to combat racism within stadiums.

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