Real Madrid

Here, The Athletic explains the context and evolving animosity behind the Madrid derby. Vinicius Junior, victim of racist abuse. Before Atletico and Real met ...

Atletico’s position on the matter was reflected in a statement that read: “We will not collaborate in this attempt of mockery”. The defender was angered by chants against some of his team-mates but his own past as a Real youth teamer added extra spice to the situation. Victory was made even sweeter for Atletico fans when Gabi received the Copa del Rey trophy from Spain’s King Juan Carlos — a Real Madrid supporter. Of Atletico’s five former Real players, only two are likely to start the Copa del Rey quarter-final at the Bernabeu tonight — Morata and Hermoso. Whether that was ever likely or not, their Frente Atletico ultras felt the risk enough to show a ‘CR7 Not Welcome’ banner during a pre-season friendly in July. 2022: Courtois causes outrage among Atletico fans by saying that he is on the “right side of history” before winning the Champions League final with Real against Liverpool. The club also said a letter was sent to Courtois, giving him the chance to apologise. His first match away to Atletico as a Real player came in February 2019. We hope that the authorities succeed in clarifying what happened and that justice helps to banish this type of behaviour.” After the match — which Madrid won 1-0 — a reception was held for Carlo Ancelotti’s side at Madrid’s City Hall. Meanwhile, Atletico midfielder [Koke](https://theathletic.com/football/player/koke-SFtD7PVUn9yAvsFX/) seemed to only add fuel to the fire. Hanging off a bridge by its neck was a mannequin dressed to resemble the Brazilian, with his number 20 shirt.

Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Thursday; Vinicius Junior was racially abused during the derby at Atletico in September; effigy of ...

We hope that the authorities succeed in clarifying what happened and that justice helps to banish this type of behaviour." Intolerance and violence have no place in our sport. Our condemnation of any act that attacks the dignity of persons or institutions is categorical and unreserved.

Atletico Madrid supporters have targeted Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior with racial abuse ahead of Thursday's Copa del Rey meeting between the two rivals.

The rivalry between the two clubs is the greatest, but so is respect. "La Liga strongly condemns acts of hatred and intimidation against Vinicius Junior," the statement said. "No individual, whatever their intentions or colors, can tarnish the coexistence between different supporters. "The rivalry between the two clubs is the greatest, but so is respect," read the statement. Atletico issued an official statement condemning the behavior, saying " Atletico Madrid supporters have targeted Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior with racial abuse ahead of Thursday's Copa del Rey meeting between the two rivals.

Welcome to our live coverage of today's Copa del Rey quarter-final match between neighbours Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.The two sides met in La Liga at ...

Footage filmed outside the stadium showed fans chanting “Vinicius is a monkey”. The banner read: “Madrid hates Real”. In fact, De La Vibora said goodbye to his teammates at RSC International — Real Madrid C from next season — early this week. Merida AD went all out for De la Víbora as a reinforcement to continue consolidating their exciting project. De La Vibora, 20, will spent the rest of the season for Merida AD in the Primera Division RFEF - Group 1. (Photo: Getty Images)

Real Madrid face cross-city rivals Atletico on Thursday in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with star Vinicius Junior depicted hanging from a bridge in a ...

That came after Vinicius was targeted with a [racist slur on live Spanish TV](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/vinicius-junior-real-madrid-racism-28014739) by agent Pedro Bravo. It has opened a discussion across Spain and further afield of the language and attitude applied towards footballers with racial undertones. Vinicius was subjected to horrific racist abuse from fans in the Valladolid section during his side's two-goal victory in La Liga on December 30. Real Madrid is confident that all the responsibilities of those who have participated in such a despicable act will be dealt with." [Atletico Madrid](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/atletico-madrid) supporters known as Frente Atletico – a far-right ultras group who associate themselves with the club. An effigy of the Brazilian forward appeared hanging from a Madrid bridge on Wednesday evening under a banner above that read: "Madrid hates Real." Bravo said during an El Chiringuito discussion of the Brazil international that "in Spain, you have to respect rivals and stop playing the monkey". League officials have also promised to investigate the incident and punish those who're found responsible. [Real Madrid](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/real-madrid-cf) [defeated their city rivals.](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/vinicius-real-madrid-atletico-madrid-28022707) As with the subsequent Valladolid incident, [videos emerged on social media](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/atletico-madrid-racism-vinicius-jr-28022219) of the abhorrent language used. [suffered racist abuse during a LaLiga clash](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/laliga-vinicius-jr-tebas-racism-28855176) between the sides. Atletico have [released a statement condemning the action](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/atletico-madrid-vinicius-junior-real-29058014) and calling for respect between the two sides. [Real Madrid](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/real-madrid-cf) fans will stand and chant the name of [Vinicius Junior](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/vinicius-junior) in Thursday night's Madrid derby after a sickening effigy of the player was hung from a bridge near the club's training facilities.

Spanish national police have opened an investigation "for a possible hate crime," after an effigy of Real Madrid star Vinícius Junior was hanged from a ...

“Those are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. “But my desire to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that. The happiness of a victorious Black Brazilian in Europe bothers much more. I’m not going to stop.” “They belong to Ronaldinho, Neymar, [Lucas] Paquetá, [Antoine] Griezmann, João Félix, Matheus Cunha … “We do not know who the author or authors of this despicable act are, but their anonymity does not help them avoid responsibility. “The rivalry between the two clubs is maximum, but the respect is as well. ET), but when they arrived, the banner reading “Madrid hates Real” was no longer hanging there, the press office said. 20 on the back – was shown hanging from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground along with a banner which read: “Madrid hates Real.” But none of that started yesterday. I was a victim of a xenophobic and racist comment. No individual, whatever their intentions or their colors, can mar the coexistence between the two fanbases.

Real Madrid slammed the Atletico Madrid fans who hung a mannequin of Vinicius Jr, dubbing the act a "violation of fundamental rights and dignity".

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Vinicius has been a victim of racial abuse from Atleti fans before, when the two teams clashed at the Wanda Metropolitano in September. These attacks like the ones our player now suffers, or those that any athlete can suffer, cannot have a place in a society like ours. Both La Liga and Atletico Madrid have spoken out to condemn the actions of the supporters in question ahead of the two clubs' Copa del Rey quarter-final clash.

Real Madrid are set to pay homage to Vincius Junior this evening ahead of the Madrid derby, in a bid to show their full support for the Brazilian.

[Marca](https://www.marca.com/radio/2023/01/26/63d27bfbe2704e6f658b45a6.html), the Santiago Bernabeu will applaud Vinicius in minute 20 (his shirt number), as a way of showing their support for their star winger. [communication](https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2023/01/26/official-announcement). [hung a mannequin](https://www.football-espana.net/2023/01/26/atletico-madrid-fans-shock-spain-by-hanging-vinicius-mannequin-from-road-bridge) with a Vinicius shirt on.

Los Blancos are expected to go with the clean-sheet defence from San Mamés as they look to seal passage to the semi-finals.

Some players with the qualities to change the game will be waiting on the bench, if necessary. On the far left and through the middle there will be no surprise: Vinicius and Benzema, respectively. In the offensive phase, it will be one more attacker; and in defence, the Uruguayan will line up with the midfielders and help Nacho on the right side. Militao and Rudiger will occupy the central positions again and the left side will be for Mendy. The third midfield position will likely be filled by either Modric or Kroos, the Croatian being the most likely. In defence, without Carvajal or Lucas, the right-back will once again be Nacho, currently the best-fit defender at Real Madrid.

Real head coach Carlo Ancelotti wants Garcia but the final decision on the transfer was not made by the Italian, with the club's board having the final say.

Ancelotti admitted Real were looking at bringing Garcia back on Wednesday, commenting: “The squad has been finalised until June. Rayo, meanwhile, have told The Athletic they have not yet been informed of Garcia’s clause being activated. [Rayo Vallecano](https://theathletic.com/football/team/rayo-vallecano/) until the end of the season.

A dummy of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior was hung from a motorway bridge hours before the team's match against Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

“These types of manifestations, charged with hatred, only encourage violence and have no place in our sport. No individual, whatever their intentions or colours, can tarnish the co-existence between different supporters. “Our condemnation of any act that attacks the dignity of persons or institutions is categorical and unreserved,” the club said.

Attacks such as those suffered by our player, or those suffered by any sportsperson, have no place in a society such as ours. Real Madrid trusts that those who ...

Real Madrid trusts that those who have participated in such a despicable act will be held accountable. Attacks such as those suffered by our player, or those suffered by any sportsperson, have no place in a society such as ours. We would like to express our strongest condemnation of these acts which are an attack on fundamental rights and the dignity of people, and which have nothing to do with the values that football and sport represent.

Effigy of the winger hanged from a bridge near the club's training ground before Real's meeting with rival Atletico.

Our condemnation of any act that attacks the dignity of persons or institutions is categorical and unreserved,” Atletico said in a statement. Vinicius Jr issued a two-minute video statement at the time in response to what he called a “xenophobic and racist” insult, saying he “won’t stop dancing”. No individual, whatever their intentions or colours, can tarnish the coexistence between different supporters.