Victory for Vinicius Jnr: Valladolid fans face prison sentences for racist abuse

Five Real Valladolid supporters who racially abused Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior on Thursday, May 22, 2025, received suspended prison sentences in what La Liga has labeled a landmark judgment.

The decision formally classifies racist insults hurled at a football match as a hate crime, setting a significant precedent in the fight against racism in Spanish sports.

The incident occurred during Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Valladolid in December 2022 at the José Zorrilla Stadium.

During the match, several fans directed racist abuse at the Brazilian player.

Investigations led to the identification of the offenders through social media posts and video footage shared online.

A court in Valladolid found the individuals guilty and sentenced them to one year in prison.

In addition to the jail terms, the offenders were fined up to €1,620 (approximately £1,364).

However, the prison sentences were suspended under one condition.

It was the condition that the convicted fans do not engage in any further criminal activity and avoid attending stadiums that host official national football competitions for the next three years.

La Liga celebrated the verdict, calling it an “unprecedented milestone” in its efforts to combat racism within Spanish football.

The league emphasized that the decision marked a departure from how courts previously handled such incidents.

In earlier cases, racist chants were treated as offenses against moral integrity, with the racial component considered an aggravating circumstance.

This ruling, however, directly classifies the abuse as a hate crime, making the judicial response significantly more forceful.

La Liga stated, “This decision clearly signals that racism and intolerance have no place in football.”

The statement highlighted how explicitly recognizing hate crimes in stadiums strengthens the broader message of zero tolerance for racism in sports.

Real Madrid echoed this sentiment in its own statement, praising the court’s acknowledgment of the hate-driven nature of the abuse.

The club pointed out that while Spanish courts had issued sentences in other recent racist abuse cases, including incidents in Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, and at Vallecas Stadium in Madrid, this ruling felt notably different.

“This time, the recognition of the behavior as a hate crime gives the ruling a distinct and impactful character,” the club said.

Vinícius Júnior, who is 24 years old, has become a central figure in the campaign against racism in Spanish football.

Over the past few years, he has endured racial abuse in more than ten different stadiums across Spain.

In 2023, he publicly expressed how deeply the ongoing racist abuse was affecting him, saying it was eroding his passion for the game.

Despite the emotional toll, Vinícius has persisted in his activism.

In late 2023, Spanish authorities arrested four individuals for allegedly organizing an online hate campaign against him.

That same year, another group of four was detained for allegedly hanging an effigy of Vinícius from a bridge in Madrid, a symbolic act widely condemned as a racist threat.

In a speech last November, the Brazilian star once again reaffirmed his commitment to the cause, calling it a battle he was proud to lead.

However, he also noted the scale of the challenge, saying, “I can’t fight all that Black people have been suffering alone.”

In a separate but emotional announcement, Real Madrid’s legendary midfielder Luka Modrić revealed he would be leaving the club after the upcoming Club World Cup.

The 39-year-old Croatian, who joined Real Madrid in 2012, has played nearly 600 matches and helped the club secure close to 30 titles.

His accomplishments include a record-breaking six Champions League victories and four La Liga championships.

Modrić’s final appearance at the Santiago Bernabéu will be during Madrid’s last league game of the season against Real Sociedad.

In a heartfelt message posted to Instagram, he wrote:

“The time has come.

“The moment I never wanted to arrive, but that’s football, and in life, everything has a beginning and an end.

“On Saturday, I will play my final match at the Bernabéu.”

Reflecting on his journey, Modrić added, “Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as both a footballer and a person.

“I am proud to have been part of one of the most successful chapters in the history of the world’s greatest club.

“Even though I won’t wear the shirt on the pitch after the Club World Cup, I will always be a Madridista.”

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