Atlético de Madrid fans encourage the use of masks to insult Vini Jr. during the classic
Movement is started on social media to facilitate racist attacks on the Brazilian Real Madrid player without suffering consequences
Atlético de Madrid fans are once again preparing a hostile reception for Vini Jr. in the derby against Real Madrid . On social media, fans of the home team are preparing a mobilization with racist connotations to insult the player without suffering any kind of punishment, wearing masks.
On social media, the hashtag #MetropolitanConMascarilla has gone viral in Spain. Since Wednesday, Atlético fans have been trying to get as many people as possible to attend Sunday’s derby wearing masks, so that Vinicius can be insulted without his attackers being identified. In addition, many racist messages accompany the posts with the hashtag.
Vinicius Jr. has been a recurring target of attacks of this type from Atlético de Madrid fans. The most serious incident occurred on the eve of a Copa del Rey match in the 2022/2023 season. On that day, a dummy wearing Vinicius’s jersey was found hanging from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training center in Valdebebas. Months later, in a match against Internazionale in the Champions League, the racist acts against the Brazilian were repeated .
“”Monicius” wants there to be no racist insults (sic) and is afraid to say so, the solution is not to shut up. #MetropolitanoConMascarilla and slap the cell phone you see”, wrote a user of the social network X.
One account even published a photo of two people wearing Atlético de Madrid shirts and masks, accompanied by two photos of monkeys .
Real Madrid are hoping that La Liga will take the appropriate measures to prevent the use of masks from allowing any kind of insult towards those wearing them. The team led by coach Carlo Ancelotti has already given several warnings that it will leave the field, in any game, if Vinicius or another player is the victim of a racist attack again .
On Thursday, a Mallorca fan was sentenced to one year in prison for racism in two cases : against Vinicius Junior and Chukwueze, in games against Real Madrid and Villarreal. The man is also banned from entering stadiums for Spanish football matches for three years.
Real Madrid are second in La Liga with 17 points, four behind leaders Barcelona. Atlético are third with 15 points.
