Hanging of Vinícius effigy described as racist over Madrid defeat of Atletico 

A dummy dressed in a Vinícius Júnior shirt was hung from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground before the Copa del Rey quarter-final clashes against Atletico Madrid on Thursday. 

“Madrid hates Real,” read a banner draped on the bridge close to Valdebebas.

The Vinícius effigy was described as a “racist attack” and “serious threat” against the Brazilian forward by Spanish media. 

Police sources told AFP they were investigating the incident, without offering further details.
 “Such acts are repugnant and inadmissible and shame society,” Atletico said in a statement.

“Our condemnation of any act that attacks the dignity of persons or institutions is categorical and unreserved.” 

Atletico fans were filmed aiming racist chants at Vinícius in September before the Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano in La Liga.

However in December Spanish prosecutors closed an investigation into the chants, saying it was not possible to identify those culpable.

 “We condemn the hateful actions against Vinícius,” wrote La Liga on Twitter. “Intolerance and violence do not fit within football.” 

“We have to protect him,” urged the Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday in a news conference. “Football needs him, he’s got an extraordinary talent and we have to protect him physically and in a mental aspect too.” 

La Liga says it "strongly condemns acts of hatred and intimidation against Vinicius Jr" after an effigy of the Real Madrid winger was hung from a bridge near the club's training ground. 

Away from Vinicius effigy, Real Madrid is still on track for a famous quintet, having seen off city rivals Atletico Madrid in their quarterfinal tie of the Copa del Rey. 

Real Madrid had to battle to see off their bitter rivals, having fallen behind early on to Alvaro Morata’s close-range strike.

However, they responded in a typical fashion, and goals from Rodrygo, Karim Benzema, and Vinicius Jr ensured that it would be the white side of Madrid that progressed to the final four of La Copa. 

Los Blancos have ensured at least another two games this season with progression, and the matches are beginning to pile up.

Already without David Alaba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Carvajal, and Lucas Vazquez due to injury, Ferland Mendy had to be replaced in the opening period after picking up a knock. 

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, head coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted that his squad just needs to carry on winning football matches. 

“It’s a very demanding season. It is too much, but it is what it is. We have to fight and suffer. We have injuries ourselves, and so do all the teams. We can’t do anything, we have to play and nothing else.” 

Vinicius has had a rather difficult day, having been subjected to a horrific display from Atleti fans earlier on Thursday. However, he ended it in the best possible way by grabbing Real Madrid’s third deep into extra time. Ancelotti was very pleased with the professionalism shown by his Brazilian superstar. 

“Vinicius, as usual, has focused on the game, and he was wanting to play. What has happened is very unfortunate, but it is behind us now.”
Real Madrid has now won their last three matches on the bounce and certainly seems to have returned to form, having suffered a blip at the start of the month.