24 May 2023 , 12:07
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The four suspects arrested for allegedly hanging a sickening effigy of Vinicius Junior have been caught after posting a photo on social media.
Spanish Police launched 'Operation Sandra' to catch the racists after they hung the blow-up doll from a bridge, located near Real Madrid's Valdebebas training ground, with a noose around its neck. It was accompanied by a banner that read: "Madrid hates Real."
The horrific incident happened ahead of Real's Copa del Rey quarter-final against Atletico Madrid on January 26. Spanish Police have arrested four men aged between 19 and 24 after analysing the doll, worth around £21, via an abhorrent social media picture.
Spanish Police located the four individuals, who were due to appear in front of a judge on Wednesday morning, by tracking sales of the doll. Investigators managed to retrieve the social media picture, which was quickly deleted by the individual who posted it.
It's believed investigators also used mobile phone triangulation to place the four accused individuals near the spot where the doll was left. According to reports in Spain, police discovered the men had bought beers by card during a subsequent bar crawl in the area.
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The evidence doesn't stop there. It's claimed police have obtained DNA from the saliva of one of the men who allegedly inflated the doll by mouth. The individuals accused are believed to be members of 'Frente Atletico', an Atletico ultra fan group.
Vinicius Junior was subjected to more vile racist abuse on Sunday (Getty Images)Write your message of support for Vinicius Junior in the comments below!
The eldest of the individuals accused was already known to police after being arrested in 2019 for a crime of wounding. Spanish Police are yet to confirm any convictions. Wednesday morning's court hearing took place behind closed doors, as per normal procedure.
A spokesperson for the Spanish National Police said on Tuesday: "National police officers have arrested four people in Madrid as the suspected authors of a hate crime for hanging a mannequin with Vinicius' shirt from a bridge.
"Three of the detainees are active members of a radical [Atletico] Madrid club fan group. The mannequin appeared next to a 16-metre banner on the bridge which said 'Madrid hates Real' near Real Madrid's Valdebebas training ground hours before a derby match.
"The investigation began on January 26. The inquiries carried out up to now by investigators through DNA evidence, evidence from witnesses and other intelligence material led to the identification of four males as the alleged authors.
"Officers discovered three belonged to an ultras organisation and had already been identified during previous high-risk match by police operatives seeking to prevent sporting violence. They were arrested in an operation carried out today which was coordinated with Madrid’s Court of Instruction Number 38 and a prosecution cyber-crimes section."
Footage released by police shows some of the suspects being marched into custody in handcuffs.
Vinicius was subjected to vile racist abuse during Sunday's game between Valencia and Real at the Mestalla. Three men have since been arrested by police.
Valencia have been ordered to close their south stand for five matches and received a €45,000 (£39,100) fine. They will appeal the sanction, which they have described as "unfair and disproportionate".
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