Seven people convicted for racist abuse of Vinicius Junior

Seven people have been fined and given stadium bans by a Madrid court for racially abusing Vincius Junior.

Vinicius has been the target of racist abuse throughout 2023, with the forward condemning La Liga for normalising racism by stating that the league ‘belongs to racists’ after being abused during a game against Valencia at the Mestalla. The Brazilian was ridiculously sent off in that game for reacting to the racist chants – a red card that was later rescinded.

Three of the perpetrators on that day at the Mestalla have now been fined €5,000 and banned from stadiums for one year by Spain’s State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport.

The other four convictions were in relation to an incident in January during which an effigy of the Real Madrid superstar was hung from a bridge by Atletico Madrid fans ahead of a Madrid derby. Four people involved in this abhorrent behaviour were fined €60,000 and given two-year stadium bans.

Following these convictions, Spain’s football federation (RFEF) announced that the national team will play Brazil next March as part of an anti-racism campaign titled ‘one skin, both countries’ to call for an end to racism in football.

A statement from the RFEF reads that the game will be held to “reinforce the commitment of both entities against violence in football and to intensify the already existing good relations.”