Spain Imposes Another Prison Term for Hate-Motivated Offense against Vinícius
Huge Fine and Suspended Prison Sentences for Spanish Fans Harassing Vinícius Júnior
Breaking news from Spain, where a group of football fans have faced the music for their racist behavior towards Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid. The Madrid Provincial Court dished out a total of 22 months (suspended) for one defendant, while the others received 14 months each.
The incident took place on the early hours of January 26, 2023, just before a cup match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. Offenders, allegedly followers of Atlético Madrid, hung a brown inflatable doll donning a Vinícius jersey on a bridge. A banner crying "Madrid hates Real" was also displayed.
Restrictions and Fines for the Offenders
The convicted individuals are banned from attending matches where Vinícius is playing for the next four years. They are also forbidden from approaching Vinícius within 1,000 meters. Fines of up to €1,084 were imposed on them, and they were required to undergo anti-discrimination training.
The gravity of their actions didn't go unnoticed. First-time offenders are subject to suspended prison sentences of up to two years in Spain, and this instance is no exception.
Pioneering Movement in Fighting Racism in Football
Vinícius, a regular target of racist slurs in Spanish stadiums, faced his fifth conviction for racist abuse in just over a month ago. Five fans were sentenced to similar sentences for insulting the 24-year-old during a league match against Real Valladolid on December 30, 2022.
Describing this recent ruling as groundbreaking, the Spanish football league reported that it is the first ruling in Spain to categorize racist abuse in stadiums as a hate crime under Article 510.2a of the Criminal Code.
Sources:1. 'Five Real Valladolid fans sentenced for racist abuse of Vinicius Junior', AP News, [https://apnews.com/article/fe1b1eb3ac33f9599589e5f6803c58c8]2. 'Valladolid fans get suspended prison terms for racist abuse against Vinicius', ESPN, [https://www.espn.com/soccer/real-madrid/story/4537878/vinicius-junior-four-real-valladolid-supporters-sentenced-for-racist-abuse]3. 'Four arrested for hate crimes and threats against Vinicius Junior', Marca, [https://en.as.com/en/2023/01/26/football/1856360-16746728.html]
- This incident in Spain marks a pioneering movement in fighting racism in football, as it's the first ruling to categorize racist abuse in stadiums as a hate crime under Article 510.2a of the Criminal Code.
- The Spanish football league has reported that five fans were sentenced to similar suspended prison terms for insulting Vinícius Junior during a league match against Real Valladolid on December 30, 2022.
- In addition to the sentences, the convicted individuals are also banned from attending matches where Vinícius is playing for the next four years and are forbidden from approaching him within 1,000 meters.
- General-news outlets and sports media continue to follow the politics surrounding crime-and-justice issues in European leagues such as LaLiga, with the recent ruling against Spanish football fans for their racist behavior towards Vinícius Júnior being a significant point of discussion.
