Hate crime conviction against Vinícius in Spain repeated
Let's Talk about Racism in Spanish Football
It's no secret that racism continues to be an issue in the world of football, and Spain is no exception. But the Spanish justice system is starting to take serious action against it.
Recent events have seen four individuals, believed to be Atletico Madrid fans, sentenced for a hate crime and threats against Brazilian football star Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid. A regional court in Madrid handed down a total of 36 months' imprisonment, with one defendant receiving 22 months, and the others receiving 14 months each.
The unfortunate incident occurred early on the morning of January 26, 2023, just hours before a cup match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. The individuals were accused of hanging a brown inflatable doll, resembling Vinícius, on a bridge in the Spanish capital. At the time, a large banner reading "Madrid hates Real" was also displayed on the bridge.
Alongside prison sentences, the court imposed various sanctions, including fines, restraining orders, occupational bans, and restrictions from approaching Vinícius and football stadiums on matchdays. These penalties aim to prevent such incidents from happening again.
It should be noted that, while the four individuals will not have to serve time in prison due to Spain's laws for first-time offenders, prison sentences of up to two years can be suspended.
This ruling marked a significant step in the fight against hate and discrimination in sport, the league stated. Vinícius himself has been repeatedly targeted with insults and abuse in Spanish stadiums. In fact, just over a month ago, five other fans were also sentenced for racist abuse of the 24-year-old.
This recent ruling was considered a "milestone" by the league, being the first conviction in Spain to classify racist insults in stadiums as hate crimes. With increasing awareness and action against racism, it appears that the fight against discrimination in Spanish football is showing promising progress.
Sources:
- Al Jazeera – Regional Court Convicts Four for Racial Abuse of Vinícius Júnior
- El País – Atletico Madrid fans suspended for racist abuse of Vinícius Júnior
- Marca – Five Real Valladolid fans convicted of racist abuse against Vinícius Júnior
- BBC News – Valencia fans jailed for race abuse in Spain
- La Liga – LaLiga reaffirms its commitment to fighting racism and discrimination in football.
- The Spanish justice system, in response to the growing issue of racism in sports, particularly football, has started to take serious action, as seen in the recent sentencing of four individuals for a hate crime against Brazilian football star Vinícius Júnior.
- The case, which occurred before a cup match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, involved the individuals hanging a brown inflatable doll resembling Vinícius and displaying a banner reading "Madrid hates Real" on a bridge in the Spanish capital.
- Along with prison sentences, the court imposed various sanctions, including fines, restraining orders, occupational bans, and restrictions from approaching Vinícius and football stadiums on matchdays, aiming to prevent such incidents from happening again.
- The league, in response to this ruling, has considered it a "milestone" in the fight against hate and discrimination in sport, with increasing awareness and action against racism in Spanish football showing promising progress.
