POLICE PROBE: Four people were arrested after a mannequin wearing a Vinicius Jr shirt was hung on a bridge after the Real Madrid player was racially harassed.

FOUR guys have been arrested on suspicion of hanging a mannequin dressed as Vinicius Jr from a bridge near Real Madrid's training complex.
The Brazilian winger's effigy was hung with a rope around its neck ahead of the January derby against Atletico Madrid. In a LaLiga match four months previously, he was exposed to repulsive monkey chants from Atleti fans. Vinicius, 22, has faced horrible racial abuse on numerous times in Spain, most recently in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Valencia.
And the Spanish national police verified that they had finally intervened.

According to the police, "three of the detainees are active members of a radical Madrid club fan group."The mannequin appeared next to a 16-metre sign on the bridge that said 'Madrid Hates Real' at Real Madrid's Valdebebas training complex, just hours before a derby match. 

"Investigators' previous inquiries, using DNA evidence, witness testimony, and other intelligence material, led to the identification of four males as the alleged authors."

"Officers discovered three belonged to an ultras organization and had previously been identified by police operatives seeking to prevent sporting violence during previous high-risk matches."

"They were apprehended today in an operation coordinated with Madrid's Court of Instruction Number 38 and a prosecution cyber-crime section."  It was unclear whether the four males, whose ages and names have not been released, will appear in court today or tomorrow.

During Sunday's defeat, Vinicius was on the edge of tears as he pointed out to the referee individuals of the crowd who were targeting him.
The game was halted for nine minutes as the players and referee met with Carlo Ancelotti.

Vinicius was eventually sent off following a contentious VAR review for striking Hugo Duro, who evaded punishment despite grasping the Brazil star around the neck.

The Real Madrid winger, who danced in front of Mallorca fans in response to racial insults in March 2022, sarcastically applauded and gave a peace sign to the home crowd as he exited the field.

The Champions League winner and two-time LaLiga champion responded angrily on Twitter, branding Spain "a country of racists."

"It wasn't the first, second, or third time," Vinicius explained.

"Racism is the norm in LaLiga." The competition believes it is normal, as does the Federation, and the opponents encourage it.

'A COUNTRY OF RACISTS'

"I'm very sorry. Racists now own the championship that formerly belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi.

"A beautiful nation that welcomed me and that I adore, but which agreed to project the image of a racist country to the rest of the world."

"I'm sorry for the Spaniards who disagree, but Spain is now known in Brazil as a racist country."

"Unfortunately, I have no defense for everything that happens every week." I concur. But I am powerful, and I will fight racists till the bitter end. Even though it's a long way away."

Real Madrid afterwards issued an indignant statement criticising the lack of "decisiveness" among Spanish referees and the "inaction" of the Spanish FA.

"You can't play football like this," Ancelotti remarked.  

"This is far too serious; they throw a ball on the field, constantly insult Vinicius, and then they show him the red card."

"What are we discussing?" There can be no racism in 2023. We have to return home."