Human Rights Reporters 
image: Atletico Madrid
Following the filming of some fans outside the stadium of Spanish club, Atletico Madrid, for the racial abuse once again of Vinicius Junior, a press statement has been issued condemning these actions.
It is was reported that after the 2-1 defeat to fierce city rival, Real Madrid C.F., some hundreds of supporters who the club describes as a “minority” were filmed repeating chanting, “Vinicius, you are a monkey, you are monkey” in a video published on social media by a radio station called, Cope. Even before that incident, fans could be heard in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium screaming, “Vinicius, die.”
In an obvious distancing act, Atletico Madrid openly condemns the racial abuse of Vinicius Junior and claim it’s never part of the value of the club. As they are historically known for “being an open and inclusive space for fans of different nationalities, cultures, races, and social classes,” and therefore condemn the few who cannot tarnish the image of the multitude of “Atleti fans who support their team with passion and respect for their opponents,” the statement adds.
The Red and White club reprobates any individual who hides behind their colors to hurl insults of a racist or xenophobic nature as it has and continues to have a zero tolerance for racism with the commitment to fight against the social scourge and won’t stop until “we eliminate it.”
The 2020/2021 La Liga winners are therefore prepared to cooperate with the investigating authorities and offer them all support needed to bring to closure the events that took place outside the stadium.
They request the identification of the persons who participated in the racial abuse of Vinicius Junior and “proceed with the immediate expulsion of those who are members of the club.”
To show how serious they are in their condemnation, Miguel Ángel Gil, the CEO of Atletico Madrid explains their “club has been demonstrating for years that it abhors and repudiates this type of behavior that has become a social scourge.” “We have strict protocols for the prevention and eradication of violence,” he further stressed and reveals that in the last five years alone, “433 cases have been opened for various forms of behavior contrary to these internal rules and 51 members have been expelled.”
The statement concludes that the unwarranted racial abuse of Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid is an enormous pain felt by the Rojiblancos family. They do not want allow anyone to link their fans with this racist and xenophobic behavior which question their values and won’t stop until the culprits are identified and expelled. See full statement.
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