Racist Incident at Madrid Derby Leads to Arrest of Fan After Threats Directed at Child

Spanish police have arrested a fan following a disturbing incident outside Atlético Madrid‘s Metropolitano Stadium during the Madrid derby last September. The fan’s threats and racial insults targeted an eight-year-old girl wearing a Real Madrid shirt, leading to a severe anxiety attack for the child.

The young girl, in the company of a family member, was subjected to racist insults and death threats by the fan before other spectators intervened. The family was forced to leave the scene after the family member was also physically assaulted.

Authorities identified the suspect through video evidence, leading to his arrest on charges of a hate crime. The incident highlights a recurring issue of racial abuse, with Real Madrid’s player Vinícius being a frequent target.

Vinícius has faced disturbing incidents in the past, including an effigy hung before a match with Atlético in January 2023 and racial insults hurled at him during a game at Mestalla last May. Real Madrid will return to Mestalla for a match against Valencia, a club that condemned the previous incident and aims to showcase a positive image this time.

Valencia coach Ruben Baraja expressed the club’s disapproval of the behavior, emphasizing that such incidents do not align with the values of the fan base. The upcoming fixture presents an opportunity for the fans to demonstrate a united front against racism.