“Spanish Court Convicts Valencia Fans for Racist Taunts Against Vinicius Jr.”

Three Valencia football fans have been sentenced to eight months in prison for hate crimes against Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr, a landmark conviction for racist insults in a soccer stadium in Spain. The court ruling, which is final, established that the three defendants hurled racist insults at Vinicius, including shouts, gestures, and chants referring to the color of his skin.

The racist abuse, which included monkey sounds and movements, caused Vinicius feelings of frustration, shame, and humiliation, undermining his intrinsic dignity. Although the prison sentence is eight months, the three defendants are likely to remain free unless they commit further offenses, as prison sentences of less than two years for non-violent crimes rarely require jail time in Spain.

The three supporters, who pleaded guilty to the charges, were also banned from entering football stadiums for two years and ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings. LaLiga president Javier Tebas hailed the ruling as “great news for the fight against racism in Spain,” saying it sends a clear message to those who engage in racist behavior.

The incident occurred at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium in May last year, leading to an outpouring of support for Vinicius and galvanizing local and international campaigns against racism. During the hearing, the defendants apologized to Vinicius, LaLiga, and Real Madrid, with Real Madrid stating that the defendants had shown repentance and urged fans to banish racism and intolerance from sporting competitions.

Vinicius, who helped Real Madrid win the LaLiga title and Champions League this past season, has been the target of 16 incidents of racist abuse reported to Spanish prosecutors by LaLiga in the last two seasons. The conviction is seen as a significant step in the fight against racism in Spanish football, with state prosecutor Susana Gisbert emphasizing that such acts are punishable as hate crimes.