La Liga say it ‘strongly condemns the acts of hatred and intimidation against Vinicius Jr’ after an effigy of the Real Madrid winger was hung on a bridge near the club’s training ground.
A banner reading ‘Madrid hate Madrid’ hung from the railings of the bridge.
Atletico Madrid and Real meet in the Copa del Rey on Thursday and Atletico said the incident was “disgusting”.
Brazil international Vinicius Jr, 22, said last month that the Spanish league must act against racists attending games.
Ahead of the Madrid derby in September, a minority of Atletico fans sang racist songs targeting the player as he entered their Wanda Metropolitano stadium ahead of Real’s 2-1 win, which the club condemned as “unacceptable”.
However, Spanish prosecutors closed an investigation into the chants three months later, saying it was impossible to identify those responsible.
Earlier this month, the Spanish league said it had filed a complaint concerning the racist insults of the Brazilian to the “competent judicial, administrative and sporting authorities”.
And La Liga said on Thursday that it will “press for an investigation by the relevant state security forces and bodies” into the effigy and banner, and that it will “demand convictions for those responsible and request the severest penalties”.
Atletico stressed that while the rivalry between the two clubs is “the biggest… respect too”.
They added: “No individual, whatever his intentions or colors, can tarnish the coexistence between different supporters. It is everyone’s responsibility to avoid this.
“Such acts are absolutely repugnant and unacceptable and bring shame to society. Our condemnation of any act that undermines the dignity of people or institutions is categorical and unreserved.
“We do not know the author or the authors of this despicable act, but their anonymity does not exonerate their responsibility.
“We hope that the authorities will succeed in clarifying what happened and that justice will help banish this type of behavior.”
The Copa del Rey quarter-final takes place at Real’s Bernabeu at 20:00 GMT.
