Real Madrid file hate crime complaint over Vinícius Jr. abuse - ESPN

Real Madrid filed a complaint on Friday with Spanish hate crime prosecutors over the alleged «racist and hate insults» directed towards forward Vinícius Júnior by groups of Atlético Madrid and Barcelona supporters.

Racist chants were heard as fans entered Atleti's Metropolitano stadium on the evening prior to Wednesday's Champions League game against Inter Milan.

The same chanting was heard ahead of the January Copa del Rey round-of-16 derby that Atlético won 4-2.

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On Tuesday, a group of Barça supporters chanted «Vinícius die» outside the Montjuic stadium ahead of their team's Champions League game against Napoli.

«Real Madrid asks the Prosecutor's Office to ask the security forces for the existing recordings in both locations in order to identify the authors of the racist and hate insults,» Real Madrid said in a statement.

«Real Madrid condemns these violent attacks of racism, discrimination and hatred that have been taking place, unfortunately repeatedly, against our player Vinícius Júnior.

»Our club will continue working to defend the values of football and sport, and will remain firm in its fight for zero tolerance in the face of such disgusting episodes as those that continue to occur in recent times."

LaLiga said on Thursday it will report the chants to the prosecutors' office that specialises in hate and discrimination crimes even if it was not a game in its competition because the chanting took place outside of the stadium.

UEFA, European football's governing body, can take action if the incidents occurred in the stadium precinct and if they have been reported.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti applauded the club for continuing the call attention to the abuse.

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