Vinicius Jr. Reacts as Valencia Fans Receive Prison Sentences for Racist Abuse
Vinicius Junior, the forward for Real Madrid, has responded following the sentencing of three Valencia soccer fans to prison for hate crimes over racist abuse directed at him during a La Liga match. The players were sentenced to eight months in prison by the Magistrate’s Court of Valencia on Monday, marking a significant development in the battle against racism in Spanish football.
In a statement issued by the court, it was established that the defendants directed racist insults, gestures, and chants towards Vinicius during a game in May 2023, causing him feelings of frustration, shame, and humiliation. This landmark ruling represents the first criminal conviction in Spain for racist behavior towards players.
The convicted individuals, whose identities were not disclosed, pleaded guilty to the charges. However, as first-time offenders of non-violent crimes with sentences under two years, they are likely to have their sentences suspended under Spanish legal custom.
In addition to the prison sentences, the perpetrators have been banned from entering soccer stadiums for two years and were ordered to cover the legal costs of the proceedings.
Vinicius expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision in a statement on social media, emphasizing his stance against racism. “Many asked me to ignore it, many others said that my fight was in vain and that I should just ‘play football,'” Vinicius wrote. “But, as I’ve always said, I’m not a victim of racism. I am a tormentor of racists.”
He continued, “This first criminal conviction in the history of Spain is not for me. It’s for all black people. May other racists be afraid, ashamed and hide in the shadows. Otherwise, I’ll be here to collect.”
The incident occurred during a match between Real Madrid and Valencia in 2023, which was briefly halted due to the racist abuse directed at Vinicius. The Brazilian star, who has been frequently targeted by racist fans, vowed to combat racism in football following the incident.
La Liga president Javier Tebas welcomed the court’s ruling, stating, “This ruling is great news for the fight against racism in Spain as it repairs the damage suffered by Vinicius Jr. and sends a clear message to those people who go to a football stadium to insult.”
Real Madrid also reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating racism from the sport, stating, “Real Madrid will continue working to protect the values of our club and eradicate any racist behavior in the world of football and sport.”
