Three Valencia fans have been sentenced to eight months in prison for racism at a football match, marking the first conviction of its kind in Spain due to a complaint filed by La Liga.
The racist chants targeted Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during a La Liga game at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium on May 21, 2023.
The fans were found guilty of a “crime against moral integrity” with the “aggravating circumstance of discrimination based on racist motives.”
Their initial 12-month sentence was reduced by a third following an agreement during the preliminary investigation stage.
Additionally, the fans were banned from entering any stadium hosting La Liga or Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) matches for three years, later reduced to two.
Vinicius, along with La Liga, Real Madrid, and the RFEF, brought the case to court, where the defendants read a letter of apology.
La Liga president Javier Tebas remarked, “This ruling is great news for the fight against racism in Spain, as it goes some way to redressing the disgraceful wrong suffered by Vinicius Jr and sends a clear message to those individuals who go to a football stadium to hurl abuse.”
He added, “La Liga will identify them, report them, and there will be criminal consequences.”
Tebas acknowledged frustrations over the time taken for such sentences but emphasized that “Spain is a country that guarantees judicial integrity.”
He also urged for legislative changes to give La Liga sanctioning powers to expedite the fight against racism.
Real Madrid stated they “will continue to work to protect the values of our club and eradicate any racist behaviour in the world of football and sport.”
Source-BBC
