Overview

• Five football fans were sentenced to one-year suspended prison terms for racially abusing Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr. during a December 2022 match in Valladolid.
• The court classified the racist insults as a hate crime, marking the first such legal precedent in Spain.
• The convicted individuals also face fines of up to €1,620 and a four-year ban from working in education, leisure, and sports sectors.
• Additional conditions include a three-year probation period and a nationwide ban from entering stadiums hosting official competitions.
• La Liga praised the ruling as a significant step toward eradicating racism in football, emphasizing its commitment to fostering inclusivity and respect in the sport.