In the first such ruling, three fans have been sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from stadiums for two years for racially abusing Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior at Mestalla in May 2023. 

The three fans were found guilty of a crime against moral integrity, aggravated by racially motivated discrimination under under article 173.1 of Spain’s Criminal Code, according to a report in ESPN. 

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Initially, they were handed 12 months in prison and three-year stadium ban but it was reduced under a principle which see punishments being truncated for defendants who accept criminal responsibility. 

“This ruling is great news regarding the fight against racism in Spain. It redresses the wrong suffered by Vinicius Junior and sends a clear message to those people who go to a football stadium to hurl abuse,” said LaLiga president Javier Tebas after the verdict. 

“I understand that there may be some frustration at the length of time it takes for these sentences to be handed down, but this shows that Spain is a country that guarantees judicial integrity,” he added.

What happened with Vini?

The incident took place during Real Madrid‘s 0-1 defeat to Valencia in May last year. The Brazilian identified an individual in the crowd who was racially abusing him, prompting the game to be suspended,. 

After the match, Vini took to social media to lash out at the authorities for their ‘handling’ of such a sensitive issue. 

“It was not the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition considers it normal, the federation considers it normal and the rivals encourage it,” Vinicius posted on X after the game.

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also took note of Vinicius’ allegations and joined in to express his support for the player, calling for an end to racism in the sport altogether. 

However, it wasn’t to be the end of such incidents against Vini Jr. who was once again racially abused during the match against Sevilla in October. 

After the match, the Brazilian called upon La Liga to take stringent action against the racists. He added that punishing the racists would be the first step in “preparing for the 2030 World Cup”. 

Earlier this year, Vini broke down during a press conference, while talking about racism in Spain. The Brazilian said he only wanted to play football but the racism incidents around him had dwindled his love for the game.

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