An effigy of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior has been hung from a bridge ahead of Thursday's derby with Atletico, who have slammed the sick display.
The two Madrid titans meet in the Copa del Rey quarter-final at the Santiago Bernabéu hoping to advance to the last four of the competition. It's one of the most bitter derbies in European football and a sickening effigy wearing a Real shirt with the name and number of star Vinicius has been hung from the side of a bridge. It's accompanied by a red and white banner which reads "Madrid odia al Real" - translating to "Madrid hates the Real."
An Atletico statement reads: "The rivalry between the two clubs is the greatest, but so is respect. No individual, whatever their intentions or colours, can tarnish the coexistence between different supporters. It is everyone's responsibility to avoid this.
"In view of the image that appeared today in various media outlets in which a message of hatred was launched, Atletico Madrid communicates that such acts are absolutely repugnant and inadmissible and shame society. Our condemnation of any act that attacks the dignity of persons or institutions is categorical and unreserved.
"We do not know the perpetrator or perpetrators of this despicable act, but their anonymity does not avoid their responsibility. We hope that the authorities succeed in clarifying what happened and that justice helps to banish this type of behaviour."
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