Four people convicted of hate crime against Vinicius Jr

The Provincial Court of Madrid has issued a guilty verdict against four individuals for hate crimes and threats committed against Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior. The proceedings were initiated following a complaint filed by LALIGA, which joined the case as a private prosecutor from the outset.

The events in question occurred on 26th January 2023, just hours before the Copa del Rey clash between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. In the early hours of the morning, the accused hanged a mannequin dressed in Vinicius Jr’s shirt from a bridge near the Valdebebas training ground, alongside a banner reading “Madrid hates Real”, in an act with clear offensive and threatening intent.

In the ruling, one of the defendants was sentenced to 15 months in prison for a hate crime (under Article 510 of the Spanish Penal Code) and an additional 7 months for making threats, having disseminated images of the act online, thereby amplifying its impact.

The other three were each sentenced to 7 months in prison for hate crimes and 7 months for threats.

In addition, the first defendant was fined €1,084 (9 months and 1 day at a rate of €4/day), and the other three were fined €720 (6 months at €4/day), along with the following additional measures:

·       A restraining order prohibiting them from coming within 1,000 metres of Mr. Vinicius José Paixão de Oliveira Junior, 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 LALIGA 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 defendant who posted the video online received a special disqualification from working in education, sports, or recreational youth settings for 4 years and 3 months, while the others received 3 years and 7 months.

All defendants signed a letter of apology addressed to Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid CF, LALIGA, and the RFEF, which led to mitigation for damage reparation. Additionally, they are required to complete a training programme on equal treatment and non-discrimination in order to have their prison sentences suspended.

This ruling marks a strong step forward in the fight against hate and discrimination in sport. LALIGA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to eradicating any form of racism, violence, or intolerance both inside and outside football stadiums.