Four individuals have received suspended prison sentences after being found guilty of hate crimes targeting Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr.
The group was convicted of hanging an inflatable effigy of the Brazilian over a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground in January 2023, ahead of Atletico Madrid’s Copa del Rey clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. A banner placed above the effigy read: “Madrid hates Real.”
Three of the perpetrators were sentenced to 14 months in prison, while the fourth received a 22-month sentence for distributing images of the incident online.
However, all sentences were suspended after the defendants signed a letter apologizing to Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid, La Liga, and the Spanish football federation (RFEF).
As part of their punishment, the four are prohibited from approaching within one kilometre of Vinicius Jr, his residence, or Real Madrid’s training facilities.
They are also banned from attending any La Liga or Spain national team matches.
According to Real Madrid, this brings the total number of convictions for racist attacks against their players to 14.
“This criminal conviction adds to several others issued in recent months for racist abuse directed at Real Madrid players in stadiums across Valladolid, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca and Madrid,” the club said in a statement.
“Real Madrid have supported Vinicius Jr in prosecuting this case, and others that remain ongoing. The club remains committed to defending its values and eradicating racist behaviour from football and sport.”
Vinicius Jr, who joined Real Madrid from Flamengo in 2018 and has made 316 appearances for the club, has been a repeated target of racial abuse throughout his career in Spain.
He was subjected to racist chants from Atletico Madrid fans during a La Liga match in September 2022, and later that month, similar abuse occurred during a game against Real Valladolid.
Five individuals were previously handed suspended sentences for that incident.
In December 2022, just one month before the effigy incident, Vinicius publicly called on La Liga to impose stadium bans on those found guilty of racist abuse.
