Four teenagers were detained by national police after an incident involving an inflatable doll hung by a shirt with a name on a Madrid bridge. The occurrence involved Vinicius, the Brazilian footballer who plays for Real Madrid, dated January 26. The four youths were taken into custody earlier this morning by agents from the Provincial Information Brigade, which handles investigations, as reported by CASO ABIERTO, a news and events program from Prensa Ibérica.
An inquiry into the inflatable doll, purchased for roughly 30 euros, has begun. Forensic analysis supported by the Scientific Police reviewed around ten footprints, with seven deemed invalid and three linked to individuals not previously registered. Investigators traced the doll’s journey through various channels. A total of fifty-eight locations, including both online shops and physical stores distributing this type of item in Madrid, were examined by authorities.
athletic front
The police sought to recover video evidence showing the path of the inflatable doll, as well as surveillance footage and data from phone towers near the Ifema bridge where the doll was displayed. Investigators also interviewed older individuals and associates linked to the Athletic Front, a faction connected to Atlético de Madrid. On the day in question, the teams played a match, and next to the doll a banner read: “Madrid hates Real,” a slogan associated with the Athletic Front.
By the conclusion of the operation, three members of the Athletic Front and a fourth associate were arrested. The latter, detained today, is the second individual previously unknown to the police. The group faces charges related to hate crimes. Social media activity by one detainee helped lead investigators to the suspect. The ages of those detained range from 19 to 25, with one member described as a ringleader who has a prior criminal record for a wounding incident.
The Valencia Prosecutor’s Office has opened an inquiry to determine whether racist insults directed at Vinicius during Sunday’s match between Valencia and Real Madrid at the Mestalla stadium constitute another hate crime.