Izuchukwu OkosiJustice has been served in the aftermath of the threats to life and racist abuse targeted at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jnr before a Copa del Rey game against Atletico Madrid in January 2023.
Four persons have been sentenced to between 14 and 22 months in prison for the hate crimes.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe charges relate to the hanging of a doll wearing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jnr’s short from a bridge in the city alongside a banner reading “Madrid hates Real.”
Consequently, four suspects were arrested in 2023 and now, the guilty verdicts have been issued on Monday.
In the ruling, one of the defendants was sentenced to 15 months in prison for a hate crime under Article 510 of the Spanish Penal Code and an additional seven months for making threats, having disseminated images of the act online, thereby amplifying it’s impact,” La Liga disclosed on Monday.
“The other three were each sentenced to seven months in prison for hate crimes and seven months for threats.
“In addition, the first defendant was fined €1,084 and the other three were fined €720, along with the following additional measures:
“A restraining order prohibiting them from coming within 1,000 metres of Vinícius, his residence, or place of work (Valdebebas Training Ground);
“A ban on approaching within 1,000 metres any football stadium during matches held under the LaLiga calendar or competitions organised by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), including reserve and women’s teams, from four hours before until four hours after each match;
“A prohibition on any form of communication with the victim, all for a period of four years from the end of the prison term.
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All defendants also signed a letter of apology addressed to Vinícius, Real Madrid, LaLiga and the RFEF, which led to mitigation for damage reparation.”
Following the verdict, Real Madrid issued the following statement on Monday:
“The defendants have acknowledged their actions, expressed their remorse, and publicly apologised. Each of them has been found guilty of a hate crime, and another of threatening our player Vinícius Jr.
“This criminal sentence comes after the several already handed down in recent months for racist insults received by Real Madrid players at the José Zorrilla Stadium (Valladolid), Mestalla (Valencia), Son Moix (Palma de Mallorca), and Vallecas (Madrid) stadiums, including on digital forums.
“In total, fourteen people have now been criminally convicted for racist attacks against our club’s players ”
“Real Madrid, which, along with the player, has acted as a private party in this case and in many others currently underway, will continue working to protect the values of our club and eradicate any racist behaviour in the world of football and sport.”
It’s the latest in a string of resolutions related to the abuse of the Brazilian.
In the summer of 2023, three fans were sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from stadiums for two years over the racist abuse of the Brazilian at Mestalla in May 2023 when Madrid played Valencia.
A Mallorca fan who used racists insults against Vinícius and (former )Villarreal’s forward, Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze was also handed a 12-month suspended sentence by a Spanish court last September.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
