The fight against racism in Spanish football took a major step forward on Thursday. Five fans who directed racist insults at Vinícius Jr. during a LaLiga match between Real Valladolid and Real Madrid in December 2022 have been sentenced to one year in prison, alongside other severe penalties.

Historic Ruling for Hate Crimes

As reported by outlets like AS and Cadena SER, the accused reached a plea deal with the Prosecutor’s Office and the player’s legal team, agreeing to the following sanctions:

• One year in prison
• Loss of voting rights during that year
• Four-year ban from attending sporting and educational events
• Fines ranging from €1,080 to €1,620

The incident occurred in the 88th minute of the match at Estadio José Zorrilla, where the fans hurled slurs like “f**ing monkey,” “black,” and “fggot” at the Brazilian winger. These were captured on video and widely circulated on social media, sparking widespread condemnation both in Spain and abroad.

Importantly, Vinícius Jr. chose not to seek financial compensation, reinforcing the symbolic and social importance of the case. The official ruling will be issued on May 21, and the sentence will be forwarded to Spain’s State Commission Against Violence in Sport, which continues to investigate the offenders through administrative proceedings.