Four people have been given suspended prison sentences for hate crimes against Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
The player, his team and the Spanish league have launched private legal proceedings against the defendants following an incident in which a black inflatable effigy wearing the 24-year-old Brazilian striker's shirt was hung on a bridge in the city next to a banner reading “Madrid hates Real” ahead of a Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid in January 2023.
One of the defendants was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the hate crime and an additional seven months for making threats and distributing images of the crime online, while the other three were given seven months each for the hate crime and an additional seven months each for making threats.
La Liga confirmed in a statement that all three had signed a letter of apology and their sentences would be suspended subject to them completing a training programme on equal treatment and non-discrimination.
The defendant, who posted the video online, was given a special disqualification from work in the field of education, sport or youth recreation for four years and three months, while the others were disqualified for three years and seven months.
All four were also given financial fines, banned from coming within 1,000 metres of Vinicius or communicating with him in any way for the duration of their punishment, and banned from being within 1,000 metres of any football stadium during La Liga or Spanish Football Federation matches, including reserve and women's team matches, for four hours before kick-off and four hours after kick-off.
The latest case concerns those responsible for racist abuse directed at Real Madrid players. The club said 14 of them already have criminal charges following incidents at Real Valladolid, Valencia, Real Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano and online.
The club said in a statement: “Real Madrid, which together with its player initiated the private prosecution in this and many other proceedings that are currently underway, will continue its efforts to defend the values of our club and eradicate any racist behaviour in football and sport.”
The club's position was supported by La Liga, which said: “This decision is a significant step forward in the fight against hatred and discrimination in sport.
“La Liga reaffirms its unwavering commitment to eradicating all forms of racism, violence and intolerance both inside and outside football stadiums.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
