A Spanish court has given a soccer fan a one-year suspended sentence for racially abusing Vinícius Júnior and Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, Real Madrid announced on Thursday. The incidents occurred during two matches at Mallorca’s stadium in early 2023, where the defendant insulted the Black players from the stands.
The court in Mallorca also banned the individual from attending any football matches organized by La Liga or the Spanish Football Federation for three years. The prison sentence was suspended after the defendant expressed remorse, apologized to Vinícius in a letter, and completed an anti-discrimination program.
The courts of the Balearic Islands could not immediately provide further details on the ruling. Vinícius, who has faced several instances of racial abuse in Spain, recently voiced concerns that the country should not host the 2030 World Cup if the issue remains unresolved.
In June, three Valencia fans received eight-month prison sentences for racist chants against Vinícius, marking the first conviction for racism in professional Spanish football.