By Reinaldo Oliveros
24 Oct 2024, 11:00 AM EDT
The National Police arrested four alleged Atlético de Madrid fans for organizing a hate campaign on social networks against the Brazilian player Vinicius Jr., of Real Madrid.
The racist incitement spread days before the derby played at the Metropolitan stadium and those arrested now face charges for an alleged crime of inciting hatred.
The campaign, which was massively disseminated on the social network ‘X’, urged followers to go to the stadium with masks to avoid being identified while shouting insults racists against Vinicius Jr.
This call to hate reached enormous dissemination, with 1.7 billion views, 7,000 reposts and nearly 56,000 interactions.
The derby, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was temporarily interrupted in the second half due to the throwing of objects, including lighters, by Ultras of the Atlético Front towards the Real Madrid goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois.
As a result, the authorities decided to close that stand during a match and fined the mattress club 3,000 euros.
The investigation began on October 1, after the Professional Football League presented four complaints to the National Police about the hate campaign. This incident generated great concern at a national and international level, since media outlets around the world echoed the racism that affects Vinicius Jr., which caused significant social alarm.
The Police carried out a thorough analysis of the publications and, between October 14 and 15managed to identify and arrest those responsible. The investigation remains open, and more arrests are not ruled out in the coming days, as reported by the Madrid Police Headquarters.
This is not the first time that people have been arrested for racist attacks on Vinícius Jr. after the events that occurred against the Brazilian in the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia during last season.
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