Real Madrid superstar, Vinícius Júnior has been the victim of racist abuse during his time in Spain, however, the court system is now fighting back on the Brazilian’s behalf, finding five Real Valladolid supporters guilty of committing a hate crime.
This is the first ruling of its kind in Spain with the Valladolid court convicting the fans for their insults in a league match, sentencing them to one year in prison plus a fine of up to €1,620 ($1,837).
That jail time will be suspended on the condition they don’t commit any further offences or visit soccer stadiums hosting official national competitions for three years.
“In a decisive step towards eradicating racism in sport, the Provincial Court of Valladolid has handed down the first ruling in Spain this morning condemning the five defendants for shouting racist insults at Vinícius Jr. in a football stadium as a hate crime under Article 510.2a of the Criminal Code,” LaLiga said in the statement.
Vinícius has previously spoken out on how the abuse has affected him saying: “I just want to play football but it’s hard to move forward… I feel less and less like playing (due to the racist abuse).”
“It never crossed my mind (to leave Spain) because if I leave Spain I give the racists exactly what they want. I will stay because that way the racists can continue to see my face more and more. I’m a bold player, I play for Real Madrid and we win a lot of titles and that doesn’t sit well with a lot of people.”
“It’s getting sadder and sadder. Everything I’ve been going through with every game, every day, every complaint… and it is getting worse,” Vinicius added.
“The lack of punishments is very frustrating. If we start punishing these people, not that they’ll change their thinking, but they’ll be afraid to speak out.”
Vinícius testified via video conference last month during the hearing against the five Valladolid fans.
LaLiga’s statement added: “This court ruling represents an unprecedented milestone in the fight against racism in sport in Spain, which until now had only seen sentences for conduct against moral integrity, with the aggravating factor of racism. The fact that the ruling expressly mentions the crime of hate associated with racist insults reinforces the message that intolerance has no place in football.”
Insideworldfootball.com
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