This Monday, the 10th, three Spanish fans were convicted by the Spanish courts for making racist insults against the Brazilian player Vinicius Jr. during a football match in the city of Valence, in May last year. This decision marks the first conviction for racism in Spanish football.
Vinicius Jr. commented on the verdict:
“As I have always said, I am not a victim of racism. I am a tormentor of racists. This first criminal conviction in the history of Spain is not for me. It’s for all black people.”
The individuals, who were captured on stadium cameras calling the athlete a “monkey”, received an eight-month prison sentence and were banned from attending football stadiums in Spain for two years. Police initially detained the trio, who were later released pending the conclusion of the trial.
The case gained international attention, standing out as a significant moment in the fight against racism in sport. LaLiga, which became involved as a party to the accusation, celebrated the decision as an important step forward.
In addition to the legal implications, the incident sparked broader discussions about racism in sport, with public figures and sporting entities, including Vinicius Jr.’s club Real Madrid, speaking out against racial prejudice and pledging to combat such behavior.
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2024/06/10/vini-jr-manda-recado-a-racistas-apos-condenacoes-pela-justica-espanhola/
