Thu, June 19, 2025
Four sentenced for hate crimes against Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior two years after incident, but will most likely not serve prison time
The Provincial Court of Madrid has sentenced four people for hate crimes against Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior two years after the incident. However, after signing a letter of apology and undertaking a non-discrimination course, they most likely will not serve prison time. The perpetrators, Atlético Madrid fans, hung a black effigy of Júnior over a bridge before a derby match in January 2023. The prosecution stated the four men were members of a radical Atlético fan group ideologically linked to the far right, according to Inside the Games.
Specifically, the incident occurred on 26th January 2023, hours before the Copa del Rey match between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The perpetrators hung a mannequin, which was wearing Júnior’s shirt, from a bridge near the Valdebebas training ground in the early hours of the morning. They also displayed a banner which read “Madrid hates Real” in an obvious attempt to cause offence and threat.
They have been sentenced to prison, fines, disqualification and stadium bans two years later, as reported by La Liga. From the beginning of the case, La Liga joined as a private prosecutor, an entity that initiates and conducts criminal prosecution independently.
One of the perpetrators was sentenced to 15 months in prison for a hate crime under Article 510 of the Spanish Penal Code. They also received an additional 7 months for encouraging threatening behaviour by sharing images of the crime online and were fined €1,084.
The remaining perpetrators were each sentenced to 7 months in prison for hate crimes and 7 months for threats and were fined €720.
The additional sanctions are as follows:
- A restraining order banning them from coming within 1,000 metres of Júnior, his residence, or place of work (Valdebebas Training Ground)
- A ban on approaching within 1,000 metres of any football stadium during matches held under the La Liga calendar or competitions organised by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), including reserve and women’s teams, from four hours before until four hours after each match
- A prohibition on any form of communication with the victim, all for a period of four years from the end of the prison term
The perpetrator who shared videos of the crime online has also been banned from working in education and sports for 4 years and 3 months, while the others have been banned from such jobs for 3 years and 7 months.
However, the perpetrators will most likely not serve prison time after all four signed a letter of apology to Júnior, Real Madrid, La Liga and the RFEF. They are now required to undertake a training programme on equal treatment and non-discrimination. Controversially, this will result in the suspension of their prison sentences.
This is not the only form of abuse Júnior has suffered. Last summer, three fans were sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from stadiums for two years due to racist abuse against Júnior. Last September, a Mallorca fan used racist insults against Júnior and was handed a 12-month suspended sentence. More recently, in May, five Real Valladolid fans who racially insulted Júnior in 2022 were also handed 12-month suspended sentences and large fines, according to ESPN.
Some argue that such actions display La Liga’s “unwavering commitment to eradicating any form of racism, violence, or intolerance both inside and outside football stadiums,” however, some highlight the leniency of suspended sentences and how they are not effective enough, especially when it comes to tackling racism within sport.
