The Court of Instruction No. 10 of Valencia has today, Monday, June 10, 2024, convicted three Valencia CF supporters for racially abusing Brazil and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior.
These utterances were made in the Spanish league match held on May 21, 2023, at the Mestalla stadium between Valencia C. F. and Real Madrid C. F.
A court ruling sentenced the three fans to eight months in prison and handed them a 2-year stadium ban. It is the first time someone in Spain has been convicted of racism in a football stadium.
The court statement said, “The ruling handed down today, which is final, establishes as proven that the three defendants insulted Vinicius with shouts, gestures and chants referring to the colour of his skin.”
“These shouts and gestures of a racist nature, consisting among other things in the repetition of the sounds and imitating the movements of monkeys, caused the footballer feelings of frustration, shame and humiliation, with the consequent undermining of his intrinsic dignity.”
Vinicius Junior was subjected to racist slurs in May 2023 when Real Madrid played Valencia at the Mestella Stadium.
Commenting on the ruling, La Liga President Javier Tebas said it would clear the damage suffered by Vinicius Junior and send a strong message to all football fans that it will not be tolerated.
“This ruling is great news for the fight against racism in Spain as it repairs the damage suffered by Vinicius Jr and sends a clear message to those people who go to a football stadium to insult that LaLiga will identify them, report them and there will be criminal consequences for them,” Tebas said.
He added that the fans were made to read an apology letter to Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid in court.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid said the fans’ letter “asked fans that all traces of racism and intolerance should be banished from sporting competitions.” The club said the content of the letter showed their remorse.