Atletico Madrid released a statement Tuesday condemning the racist chanting aimed at Vinicius Junior before the Madrid derby, saying they will ban club members who are identified as having been involved.
A group of Atletico fans were filmed singing racial slurs before Sunday’s derby at the Metropolitano stadium, which Real Madrid went on to win 2-1, while local media also reported that slurs and chants of “Vinicius, die” were heard throughout the game.
LaLiga has said it will be filing an official report on what happened with Spain’s Anti-violence Commission and the Spanish football federation (RFEF)’s Disciplinary Committee.
“Atletico Madrid emphatically condemns the unacceptable chants that a minority of fans made outside the stadium before the derby was played,” the club said in its statement. “Our club has always been characterized by being an open and inclusive space for fans of different nationalities, cultures, races and social classes and a few cannot tarnish the image of thousands and thousands of Atletico fans who support their team with passion and respect.
“These chants cause us huge disgust and indignation and we will not allow any individual to hide behind our colours to utter racist or xenophobic insults. At Atletico Madrid we have zero tolerance for racism.
“For that reason we have contacted the authorities to offer them our collaboration in the investigation of the events that occurred outside the stadium and demand the identification of the people who participated, in order to proceed with the immediate expulsion of those who are members of the club.”
