Vinicius: “It was because of my skin color”
Real Madrid player Vinicius has expressed his feelings regarding the incident of the effigy hanging with his image near the Valdebebas sports city. The footballer stated this Monday that he felt deeply affected and offended by the action, attributing it to an act of racism.
Vinicius testified via videoconference from the sports city, as the injured party, during the trial of four defendants. The incident involved the placement of a doll with his jersey hanging from a bridge, accompanied by a banner with the legend “Madrid hates Real”.
“It was because of my skin color and hatred towards me,” Vinicius stated.
Vinicius
The player reported that he found out about what happened through social media. He described the day as “very sad,” and expressed his concern for his safety and that of his family.
Vinicius responded to questions about the reason for the action, pointing to racism and hatred as the main causes. He detailed that the doll was hung on a road he frequents to go to work and confirmed having been a victim of racist aggressions on several occasions, especially at the Metropolitano stadium.
Vinicius’s statement is an early test for the rest of the oral hearing, which will be held in the Provincial Court of Madrid from June 23.
The events occurred on January 26, 2023, before the Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid.
The prosecution accuses those involved, identified as members of the Frente Atlético, of an alleged crime against fundamental rights and public freedoms, in conjunction with a crime against moral integrity, and for a crime of unconditional threats.
