Madrid, Spain – A Madrid court has handed down suspended jail sentences to four individuals found guilty of a hate crime involving an effigy of Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. The incident, which occurred in January 2023, saw the defendants hang a banner reading “Madrid hates Real” and an inflatable black effigy wearing a replica of the Brazilian’s No. 20 shirt from a bridge before a Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
The ruling, announced by Spain’s LaLiga on Monday, found one defendant guilty of a hate crime and threats, resulting in a 15-month prison sentence for the former and an additional seven months for the latter. This individual had also distributed images of the act online. The other three defendants received seven-month sentences for hate crimes and another seven months for threats.
However, none of the four will serve time behind bars. Their prison sentences were suspended after they signed a letter of apology to Vinícius Jr., Real Madrid, LaLiga, and the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF).
In addition to the suspended sentences, the defendant who posted the video online received a disqualification from working in education, sports, or recreational youth settings for four years and three months. The other three received similar disqualifications for three years and seven months.
Financial penalties were also imposed, with the first defendant fined 1,084 euros (approximately $1,250 USD) and the other three fined 720 euros (roughly $834 USD). Further punishments include a 1,000-meter restraining order from Vinícius Jr., his home, and workplace, and a ban on approaching soccer stadiums during LaLiga or RFEF matches.
Crucially, all four individuals will be required to participate in an educational program on equal treatment and non-discrimination as a condition for the suspension of their prison sentences.
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There has been no immediate confirmation from the court or reaction from Vinícius Jr. regarding the ruling. This case marks a significant development in the ongoing fight against racism and hate crimes in Spanish football, highlighting the judicial system’s commitment to addressing such incidents.
