Madrid court sentences four over Vinicius Junior effigy
Four individuals received suspended prison sentences ranging from 14 to 22 months for their involvement in a hate crime targeting Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, a Madrid court has ruled. The incident involved hanging an inflatable black effigy wearing the player’s No. 20 shirt and a banner that read “Madrid hates Real” from a bridge before a Copa del Rey match against Atlético Madrid in January 2023.
One defendant received 15 months for hate crimes and an additional 7 months for threats after posting images of the act online. The other three were each sentenced to 7 months for hate crimes and 7 months for threats. None of them will serve actual jail time, as they signed a letter of apology to Vinicius, Real Madrid, La Liga, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
The court also issued additional penalties. The main defendant is barred from working in education, sports, or youth-related environments for four years and three months. The others face similar bans for three years and seven months. Fines range from €720 to €1,084, and all four are prohibited from approaching Vinicius or his workplace within a 1km radius. They are also banned from attending La Liga or RFEF matches during this time.
To have their sentences suspended, all four must complete an educational program on equal treatment and anti-discrimination. Neither the court nor Vinicius has issued an immediate response to the verdict. The player is currently competing in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Vinicius Junior has been repeatedly subjected to racist abuse in Spanish football. In June 2024, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for hate crimes after insulting him during a 2023 match. Previous rulings have led to prison terms and stadium bans for other offenders, marking a series of legal firsts in Spain's fight against racism in football.
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