Four susÂpects have been arrestÂed by the SpanÂish police for their involveÂment in a racist attack on ViniÂcius Jr, the BrazilÂian forÂward who plays for Real Madrid.
The attackÂers hung a dumÂmy of the playÂer, dressed in his Real Madrid jerÂsey with the numÂber 20, from a bridge near the clubâs trainÂing facilÂiÂty. They also disÂplayed a banÂner with the words âMadrid hates Realâ in red and white, the colÂors of their rival team AtletiÂco Madrid.
The arrests come after Real Madrid accused SpanÂish footÂball of havÂing a racism probÂlem, a claim that was backed by the presÂiÂdent of the SpanÂish footÂball fedÂerÂaÂtion Luis Rubiales. ViniÂcius Jr and othÂer playÂers have faced sevÂerÂal inciÂdents of racist abuse in recent months.
The four susÂpects are being charged with a hate crime, and three of them are known to be active memÂbers of âa radÂiÂcal fan group of a Madrid clubâ. They had been preÂviÂousÂly flagged as âhigh riskâ durÂing matchÂes due to their potenÂtial for violence.
The inciÂdent has increased the presÂsure on LaLiÂga, the top footÂball league in Spain, to take more action against racism in the sport. HowÂevÂer, the league has said that it canÂnot impose sancÂtions on offendÂers under SpanÂish law, and has asked for more authorÂiÂty from the govÂernÂment to deal with the issue.
The racist attack hapÂpened before a match between Real Madrid and AtletiÂco Madrid in the Copa del Rey quarÂter-finals earÂliÂer this year. The invesÂtiÂgaÂtion is still ongoing.
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