MADRID (AP) — Authorities are using surveillance cameras and social media to identify the men who hanged Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. from a highway bridge last week.
Members of the Anti-Violence Committee in Sport met on Monday and said an investigation was underway to find the people who posted the slogan “Madrid hates Real” hours before Real Madrid’s quarter-final clash with Atletico Madrid. Copa del Rey Thursday.
The message on the banner is used by one of Atletico Madrid’s biggest fan groups, although they denied being responsible for the image at the time.
The hate attack has prompted widespread condemnation from clubs and other football officials across Spain.
Vinicius scored as Madrid won 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. “There’s only one Madrid, everyone knows it” and “Vinny loves Madrid,” he said on Twitter after the game. “Love always conquers hate,” the Brazilian forward said the following day.
Vinicius was targeted by racist chants earlier this season. Spain’s state prosecutors have closed an investigation into racist chants by Atletico fans ahead of another derby, citing insufficient evidence and downplaying their seriousness on the grounds that the chants interfered with the rivalry of the football match.
But the anti-violence committee said it was investigating the punishment of a dozen Valladolid fans who insulted Vinicius during a match in December. The committee said the penalty would include a fine of 4,000 euros ($4,300) for each individual, as well as a one-year ban from sports venues.
The Spanish League reported insults against Vinicius during a match against Athletic Bilbao Madrid on January 22.
Vinicius, who is black, had previously complained on social media that he had been attacked by racists since coming to play in Europe.
___
Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni
___
More AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports