Vinicius Junior: Atletico Madrid condemn 'repugnant' fans after mannequin of Real Madrid star hung from bridge

Atletico Madrid have condemned “repugnant” fans who hung a mannequin wearing the shirt of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior from a bridge in the Spanish capital.

The mannequin was accompanied with a red-and-white banner that read: “Madrid hates Real”.

It comes ahead of the Copa del Rey quarter-final clash between the two city rivals on Thursday and follows racist abuse directed towards Vinicius the last time the teams met.

"Acts like this are absolutely repugnant and inadmissible and shame society,” Atletico said in a statement.

“Our condemnation to any act that attacks the dignity of people or institutions is categorical and unreserved. The rivalry between the two clubs is at its maximum, but so is respect.

“No individual, whatever their intentions or colours, can stain the coexistence between different fans."

Vinicius was subjected to racist abuse when Real last faced Atletico in September.

A group of fans were filmed making racist chants before the game and there were reports of monkey noises when he touched the ball during the match.

Vinicius has called for fans found guilty of racism to be handed lifetime bans and has also clashed with La Liga over their response.

"If you hurt other people, you must pay," Vinicius told Globo.

"It's hard to say that [racism] will end with so many people still doing it. But I like to believe that there are more good people than bad.

"All the racist people must pay in some way. If they like to watch football, so those Atletico Madrid fans should never be allowed to step foot in a stadium again. That will make them suffer the consequences and reflect about their actions.”

Real are looking to win the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2014.

The European champions said in a statement: “Real Madrid CF would like to thank the support and expressions of affection received after the unfortunate and disgusting act of racism, xenophobia and hatred against our player Vinicius.

“We express our firmest condemnation of events that violate the fundamental rights and dignity of people, and that have nothing to do with the values ​​that football and sport represent.

“These attacks like the ones our player now suffers, or those that any athlete can suffer, cannot have a place in a society like ours.”