What you need to know:
- The incident, which occurred during a 1-0 Valencia win, caused a global outcry after Vinícius identified a racist abuser in the crowd, leading to a game suspension.
- He called for changes to Spanish law to give La Liga the power to impose swifter sanctions against racism.
Three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison and a two-year stadium ban for racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. during a La Liga match in May 2023.
The incident, which occurred during a 1-0 Valencia win, caused a global outcry after Vinícius identified a racist abuser in the crowd, leading to a game suspension. He later criticized Spanish authorities for their handling of racism in La Liga, calling it “normal.” The league responded by requesting more power to tackle the issue.
On Monday, the fans were found guilty of a hate crime motivated by racial discrimination. They initially faced one year in prison, but this was reduced to eight months for accepting responsibility. They also received a reduced stadium ban of two years and must cover court costs.
La Liga president Javier Tebas hailed the verdict as a first for Spanish football. He stated it sends a clear message: racist abusers will be identified, reported, and face criminal consequences. Tebas acknowledged frustration with the legal timeframe but emphasized Spain’s commitment to judicial integrity. He called for changes to Spanish law to give La Liga the power to impose swifter sanctions against racism.
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