In a significant ruling, a Mallorca fan has been sentenced to one year in prison and issued a three-year stadium ban for racially abusing Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and former Villarreal player Samuel Chukwueze. The decision was announced on Thursday, reflecting a growing intolerance for racism in football.
The conviction stems from incidents that occurred during a La Liga match where Real Madrid faced Mallorca at the Son Moix stadium in February 2023, resulting in a 1-0 defeat for Madrid. The fan’s abusive behavior towards Vinicius was followed by insults directed at Chukwueze, who is now playing for AC Milan, just two weeks later.
Real Madrid released a statement indicating that the fan was “found guilty of two crimes against moral integrity, aggravated by the fact that he acted with racist motives.” Although the fan received a suspended prison sentence, this leniency was contingent upon his expression of remorse. He wrote a letter of apology to Vinicius and completed a program focused on equality and anti-discrimination.
This case marks the third criminal conviction in recent months for racist insults against Real Madrid players, particularly targeting Vinicius, who has faced multiple incidents of racial abuse since his arrival in Spain in 2018. In a notable case from June, three Valencia fans received eight-month prison sentences for similar offenses aimed at Vinicius during a match at their stadium in May 2023.
The ongoing prevalence of racism in Spanish football has sparked widespread international outrage and renewed discussions about the need for systemic change. Real Madrid also reported that another individual, a minor who racially abused midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, has been banned from stadiums for one year. Like the adult fan, this minor also expressed remorse and agreed to participate in socio-educational activities as directed by the prosecutors.
Earlier this month, Vinicius raised the stakes by calling for Spain to lose its right to host the 2030 World Cup unless it makes significant progress in combating racism within its stadiums. The issue remains a pressing concern in the football community, particularly as incidents of racial abuse continue to surface.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid is set to face arch-rivals Atletico Madrid this Sunday in a highly anticipated derby clash at the Metropolitano stadium, a venue where Vinicius has also been a target of racial abuse in the past. As the football world watches, the hope is for lasting changes that will foster an environment of respect and equality in sports.
