League condemns plan by some fans to racially abuse Vinícius while hiding behind face masks
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior gestures during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and VfB Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Manu Fernandez]
MADRID (AP) — The Spanish league says it will ask police to act against the promoters of a social media campaign that the league says is aimed at promoting racist acts against Vinícius Júnior at the derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. The social media campaign is based on a hashtag encouraging Atletico fans to wear face masks, apparently to make it more difficult for authorities to identify individuals who participate in racist chants or insults. Vinícius has been targeted by racist slurs in away games for Real Madrid. One of the ugliest attacks against the Brazil forward came before a derby against Atletico in January 2023 when an effigy of him was hung from a bridge.
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