Seven people were punished by the Spanish authorities for racist insults against Vinicius

Seven people involved in various racist attacks on Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior have been punished by Spain's State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport, authorities said.

Four men were fined €60,001 and banned from sporting events for two years after hanging a banner reading "Madrid hates Real" and a black inflatable effigy of Vinicius' number 20 shirt on a bridge near the base of Real ahead of the Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid on January 26.

Three other people were fined €5,000 and banned from football matches for a year after making racist gestures at the Brazil international during a La Liga match at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on 21 May. The sanctions come 11 days after the four men were arrested after the effigy was hung and released on bail by a court in Madrid.

Vinicius Junior has been in the spotlight for the past few weeks after accusing La Liga and Spain of racism following the abuse he received during Real's game against Valencia. The sporting world has since shown solidarity with the 22-year-old and the Brazilian government has called for tough sanctions against those responsible. Brazil will play a friendly against Guinea on June 17 and against Senegal three days later as part of a campaign against racism.

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