Police in Spain have detained four people suspected of hanging an effigy of the Real Madrid player, Vinicius Jr, from a bridge in Madrid.
The figure appeared in January ahead of a match between Real and their rivals in the capital, Atletico.
It was hung by its neck under a banner saying: "Madrid hates Real".
The Brazil international, who is black, was met with racial abuse by opposing fans during a weekend La Liga game. His club lodged a hate crime complaint.
Real's match at Valencia on Sunday was paused in the second half as an incensed Vinicius reported opposition fans to the referee.
Following the match, in which the 22-year-old was later sent off for violent conduct, he said: "La Liga belongs to racists."
La Liga president Javier Tebas responded on Twitter by saying Vinicius twice did not turn up for a meeting to discuss what it "can do in cases of racism", adding: "Before you criticise and slander La Liga, you need to inform yourself properly."
But football federation chief Luis Rubiales said Spanish football had "a serious problem that also stains an entire team, an entire fan base, an entire club, an entire country".
Spanish prosecutors will now decide whether to pursue a criminal investigation.
Vinicius has been the target of racist abuse multiple times this season and the Brazilian government said the incident was "yet another inadmissible episode".
It has requested urgent meetings with Spanish ministers, prosecutors and the football federation.
Latest Stories
-
Jospong Group partners Komptech to train over 600 stakeholders on integrated solid waste management
7 seconds -
Two East Africans charged in UK migrant deaths investigation
6 mins -
DR Congo legal warning to Apple is ‘first move’ – lawyer
16 mins -
Question Time: Did policing minister confuse Rwanda and Congo?
19 mins -
We need better sets for theatre productions – Omar Sherrif Captan
25 mins -
KPMG report on SML must be published and laid in Parliament – Isaac Adongo to Akufo-Addo
28 mins -
Rainstorm causes havoc in Anloga District
30 mins -
Akufo-Addo nominates new MCE for Krachi East Municipal Assembly
32 mins -
Sunyani Technical University refutes sex-for-grades claim, describes allegation as baseless
42 mins -
I’ll win TGMA Artiste of the Year at the right time – Kofi Kinaata
1 hour -
Meet Fred Amugi’s 100-year-old mother
1 hour -
Brazil great Marta to retire from international duty
2 hours -
Otto Addo was forced to accept Black Stars coaching job – Mohammed Polo
2 hours -
Karim Zito qualified to be Black Stars head coach – Mohammed Polo
2 hours -
Platinum Cup makes return on April 27
2 hours