credit: Twitter
Ahead of the Copa del Rey quarterfinal clash between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid on Thursday night, some Atleti fans hung a dummy, wearing Vinicius Jr's jersey, from a bridge near Los Blancos' training facility. The effigy was accompanied with a banner that read, "Madrid hates Real."
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The Copa del Rey 2023 quarter-final clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on January 26. However, the vile act by the Ateltico Madrid fans was widely condemned by the football supporters, La Liga and both the Madrid-based clubs.
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Los Rojiblancos issued a statement condemning the 'violent expression'. The statement read, "We have condemned and we condemn any type of violent expression that alters the healthy rivalry in the city. We are against any type of violence and insults."
La Liga also condemned the 'acts of hate and intimidation against Vinicius' and stated, "La Liga strongly condemns the acts of hate and intimidation against Vinicius. The investigation of the facts will be urged in the search for the conviction of those responsible and we request the most severe criminal sanctions."
During a pre-match conference on Wednesday, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti backed Vinicius and called him an 'extraordinary talent.' He said, "We have to protect him. Football needs him, he’s got an extraordinary talent, and we have to protect him physically and in a mental aspect too."
The 22-year-old Brazil forward was subjected to the racial slurs by Real Valladolid fans during their La Liga clash on December 30.
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