Three individuals have been handed prison sentences by a Spanish court for their involvement in a racist hate crime targeting Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.
The case stems from a disturbing incident that occurred on 26 January 2023, ahead of a Copa del Rey quarter-final clash between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
In the hours leading up to the match, four men displayed a mannequin dressed in a Vinicius Junior shirt, hanging by a noose from a bridge in Madrid—a grotesque act widely condemned across the footballing world.
On Monday, the Madrid Provincial Court delivered its verdict, sentencing three of the perpetrators for hate crimes and threats against the Brazilian international.
The main defendant received a combined sentence of 22 months in prison—15 months for a hate crime and an additional seven for threats and the dissemination of offensive images on social media.
Two of the other accused were sentenced to seven months each for hate crimes and another seven months for threats.
All three were also handed financial penalties, with fines ranging from €720 to €1,084.
The ruling imposed several further restrictions on the defendants.
They are prohibited from approaching within 1,000 meters of Vinicius, his home, or his workplace.
Additionally, they are barred from entering any football stadiums or sporting venues during a four-hour window before and after matches for a period of four years.
They are also banned from any educational, sporting, or recreational environments for up to four years and three months.
Participation in an equality and anti-discrimination education programme is required for the suspension of their prison terms.
The men submitted written apologies addressed to Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, La Liga, and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which reportedly helped to reduce the severity of their sentencing.
La Liga welcomed the court’s decision, hailing it as a landmark in the battle against racism in Spanish football.
Real Madrid, which joined the proceedings as a civil party, stressed that this marks the 14th ruling in response to racist behaviour directed at its players.
The club reiterated its unwavering stance against all forms of racism and discrimination, both within stadiums and across digital platforms.
This latest ruling is widely seen as a significant message from Spanish justice: racial hatred has no place in football or society.
