Vinicius Jr demands punishment after his effigy was hung from Madrid bridge by Atletico fans

January 27 - Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Vinicius Jr says he expects Spanish authorities to punish hate crimes after a model wearing his No.20 jersey was hung from a bridge outside the club's training center ahead of the recent Madrid derby.

Real beat fierce rivals Atletico Madrid 3-1 after extra time in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Thursday, but in the early hours of the morning a dummy of Vinicius Jr with a rope around his neck was hung next to a banner that read 'Madrid hate Real Madrid'.

"Vinicius Jr expects sanctions from the authorities, not official statements," a spokesperson for the player said after widespread condemnation of the action.

Vinicius has been racially abused by fans on at least three occasions and in December accused La Liga of continuing to do nothing about it.

After the latest incident, Atletico Madrid apologized, saying: "These are disgusting and unacceptable acts that bring shame to society. Our condemnation of any act that undermines the dignity of people or institutions is emphatically and unreservedly.nmute

"The rivalry between the two clubs is the greatest, but also the respect. No individual, whatever his intentions or his colors, can tarnish the cohabitation between different supporters. It is the responsibility of each of avoid this."

Real Madrid denounced "the lamentable and repugnant act of racism, xenophobia and hatred against our player Vinicius. Attacks like those suffered by our player, or those suffered by any sportsman, have no no place in a society like ours."

The Spanish league meanwhile said it "strongly condemns the acts of hatred and intimidation" committed against Vinicius.

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