Disgrace as Atletico Madrid Fans Hang Vinicius Jr. Doll on a Bridge, Send Hateful Message

• Atletico Madrid fans hung a doll of Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr on a bridge in Spain's capital
• The disgraceful effigy was accompanied by a banner meaning 'Madrid hates Real Madrid'
• The Brazilian has suffered racist chants from opposition fans multiple times this season

Some fans of Atletico Madrid have taken a revolting dig at Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior ahead of the Madrid derby on Thursday, January 26.

The Rojiblancos will cross swords with Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the Copa Del Rey quarter-final clash.

Ahead of the cagey encounter, which is the 231st time the city rivals will meet each other, Atletico fans appear to have hung a mannequin wearing the shirt of Vinicius Jr from a bridge in the capital, per Football Espana.

The fans accompanied the grim image with a banner translated as: 'Madrid hates Real Madrid'

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Earlier this season, some Atletico fans aimed racist chants at Vinicius Junior during a La Liga match at the Wanda Metropolitano.

La Liga condemns Atletico fans

La Liga Santander have issued a statement condemning Atletico fans following the incident:

"LaLiga strongly condemns acts of hatred and intimidation against @vinijr. LaLiga, as in the past, will press for an investigation into the matter by relevant state security forces and bodies, seeking convictions for those responsible and requesting the most severe sentences."

Atletico Madrid makes a statement

Atlético have also strongly condemned the banner and the terribly effigy aimed at Vinicius.

According to the club, they are against any type of violence and insults, and have always condemned any type of violent expression.

Ancelotti wants Vinicius respected

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Vinicius has had issues with several opponents this season, due to his showboating and goal celebrations. He has also suffered racist chants from opposition fans this season.

Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti has called for more respect for the Brazilian, who he said has been disrespected far too much in La Liga.

"Vinicius is a great player and a very sensible person," he told Sportskeeda. "The truth is everybody disrespects him - the rivals, the referees and the rival fans. We want more respect."

Vinicius suffers dip in form

Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior is suffering from a dip in form for his club lately, with the forward failing to score in his last six matches for the La Liga champions, Goal reports.

The 22-year-old Brazilian winger hasn't quite at his best this season, with only nine goal contributions to his name so far for Real Madrid.

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Vinicius also had another difficult showing Sunday night, failing to create a single chance as Los Blancos scraped to a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao.

La Liga refutes Vinicius' claims

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on La Liga refuting Vinicius' accusations, in which he claimed the league body was not protecting players from racism in the Spanish top flight league.

The Brazilian was subjected to racist chants by opposition supporters during Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory away to Real Valladolid, prompting the Brazilian's critical comments.

La Liga has now hit back at the Real Madrid star’s claims, with President Javier Tebas providing a list of evidence of the league's responses to previous examples of racist abuse.