Four men found guilty of committing hate crimes against Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr have been handed suspended jail sentences and banned from football venues.
Four individuals have received suspended prison sentences after being convicted of hate crimes against Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. The men were found guilty of hanging an inflatable effigy of the Brazilian forward from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground in January 2023, just before a Copa del Rey clash with Atletico Madrid. A banner reading “Madrid hates Real” was also displayed.
Three of the offenders were sentenced to 14 months, while the fourth received 22 months for distributing images of the act online. All four signed apology letters to Vinicius, Real Madrid, La Liga, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
They are also barred from coming within one kilometre of Vinicius, his home, or Real Madrid’s training ground, and from attending La Liga or national team games.
Real Madrid stated: “This criminal conviction comes in addition to several already handed down… Real Madrid… will continue to work to eradicate any racist behaviour in football.”