Real Madrid footballer Vinicius Jr. The abuse occurred during a match on Sunday. Image source: Getty image
Spanish police have arrested three individuals in relation to racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid footballer Vinicius Jr. The abuse occurred during a match on Sunday.
Police announced on Twitter that three individuals, ranging in age from 18 to 21, were involved.
Throughout the season, the Brazil international, who is of black ethnicity, has repeatedly been targeted with discriminatory abuse.
The away match at Valencia has sparked outrage in both Spain and Brazil following the latest incident.
Vinicius paused the game in the second half by reporting opposition fans to the referee in an incensed manner.
Following the match, in which the 22-year-old was later sent off for violent conduct, he said: “La Liga belongs to racists.”
Spanish prosecutors will now decide whether to pursue a criminal investigation.
The Brazilian government said the incident was “yet another inadmissible episode”.
The organization has urgently requested meetings with Spanish ministers, prosecutors, and the football federation.
Spanish police have detained four people who are suspected of hanging an effigy of Vinicius from a bridge in Madrid back in January.
Ahead of a match between Real and their rivals in the capital, Atletico, a figure appeared.
It was hung by its neck under a banner saying: “Madrid hates Real”.
La Liga president Javier Tebas responded on Twitter by saying Vinicius twice did not turn up for a meeting to discuss what it “can do in cases of racism”, adding: “Before you criticise and slander La Liga, you need to inform yourself properly.”
But football federation chief Luis Rubiales said Spanish football had “a serious problem that also stains an entire team, an entire fan base, an entire club, an entire country”.