The Spanish league began the process yesterday of investigating the racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid’s Brazil forward Vinicius Jnr on Sunday night at Atletico Madrid’s Civitas Metropolitano stadium.

La Liga will study audio and video evidence before filing a report to Spain’s Commission against Violence. The state body has the jurisdiction to fine the club or force them to play behind closed doors.

Despite the seriousness of the incidents, only a fine is expected; a stadium closure looks unlikely.

But La Liga could pursue individuals through the courts, as they have done in another similar case.

The chant, ‘Vinicius is a monkey’, was heard outside Atletico’s stadium before the Madrid derby, which Real won 2-1.

There were also chants of ‘Vinicius die’ during the game.

LaLiga blasted the racist abuse of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr by Atletico Madrid fans on Sunday

Racist abuse directed at Vinicius Jr. could be heard on footage from outside the ground

La Liga has taken a case involving Athletic Bilbao winger Inaki Williams to Spain’s public prosecutor as a hate crime.

Williams was racially abused by Espanyol supporters when he walked around the perimeter of the club’s RCDE Stadium pitch, having been substituted in a game in January 2020.

Williams, his brother Nico and Vinicius have all been victims of racist abuse at Spanish stadiums in recent seasons.

A racist doll was held up by an Atletico fan outside the ground prior to the Madrid derby

Atletico supporters were filmed chanting racist abuse against Vinicius Jr during the game too

And LaLiga, the top division in Spain whose president is Javier Tebas (pictured), have condemned the hate speech and vowed to work with police to bring perpetrators to justice

Vinicius danced with compatriot Rodrygo (left) after the latter gave Real the lead on Sunday. Carlo Ancelotti’s side won 2-1, with Fede Valverde scoring before Mario Hermoso’s consolation

Earlier this year, UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary committee fined Atletico Madrid £26,300 (€30,000) over racist insults from spectators directed at Real Madrid winger Peter Federico in a youth league game. They were also ordered to play one game behind closed doors.

The verbal attacks on Vinicius on Sunday followed a Spanish agent’s comments during a television debate. Discussing players who celebrate goals by dancing, he said Vinicius should go back to Brazil if he wanted to do a samba and that he should show respect and not ‘behave like a monkey’.

Real Madrid subsequently issued a statement condemning racism and xenophobia against their player.

Atletico defender Hermoso (third left) was later sent off in a feisty and fiery Madrid derby

Agent Pedro Bravo had told Vinicius Jr to ‘stop playing the monkey’ on El Chiringuito TV

The Real Madrid star was criticised for his dancing celebration after scoring against Mallorca