Spain’s Provincial Court of Valladolid has convicted five individuals of a hate crime for racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during a LaLiga match in December 2022. They received one-year suspended prison sentences, fines ranging from €1,080 to €1,620, and three-year bans from football matches.
This ruling, the first to classify racist insults in stadiums as a hate crime, follows LaLiga’s legal complaint, later supported by Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Vinicius Jr has faced repeated racist abuse, prompting stronger enforcement. In June 2023, three Valencia fans were convicted and sentenced to eight months in prison, while another offender in Mallorca received a three-year stadium ban and anti-discrimination training.
This precedent-setting case reinforces Spain’s commitment to tackling racism in football. Authorities, clubs, and civil rights groups have praised the verdict, calling for further action to ensure stadiums remain inclusive and safe for all.