MADRID (AP) - Seven people accused of racially abusing Real Madrid player Vinícius Júnior have been arrested in Spain, police said Tuesday.Three were detained in Valencia for alleged abuse against Vinícius in a Spanish league match on Sunday.
Four were arrested in Madrid for allegedly hanging an effigy of the player off a highway bridge in January.The arrests come after an outpouring of support for Vinícius after he said he was abused in Valencia.
The case prompted widespread reaction from sports figures and government officials in Spain and worldwide.Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior warms up prior the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 9, 2023.
Spanish prosecutors ope The nation has been criticized for its lack of action in racism cases in soccer. Brazilian government officials, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, had publicly expressed their concerns.Vinícius, who is Black, has been subjected to repeated racist taunts since he arrived in Spain five years ago, and especially this season after he began celebrating his goals by dancing.The Brazilian has heavily criticized Spanish soccer for not doing more to stop racism.The match against Valencia was temporarily stopped after Vinícius said a fan behind one of the goals called him a monkey and made monkey gestures toward him.