Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior says he is a “tormentor of racists” after three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in jail for insulting him during a match.
These racist chants were directed at Vinicius during a La Liga match at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia on May 21, 2023.
The fans were found guilty of “violating moral integrity” and having “serious circumstances of discrimination based on racial motives.”
“I am not a victim of racism. I am the tormentor of racists. The first criminal conviction in Spanish history does not suit me. It suits all black people,” Vinicius posted on X.
“May other racists be scared, ashamed and hide in the shadows. Otherwise, I’ll be here to collect. Thanks to La Liga and Real Madrid for helping to make this historic conviction a reality.”
It is the first conviction of racism at a football match in Spain and is a direct result of complaints from La Liga.
Following an agreement reached during the preliminary investigation phase, the initial 12-month sentence was reduced by one-third.
Fans were also banned from entering any football stadium hosting La Liga and/or Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) matches for a period of three years, later reduced to two years.
Brazil international Vinicius joined La Liga, Real Madrid and the Spanish Football Federation in taking the case to court. The defendant read a letter of apology at the hearing.
La Liga President Javier Tebas said:, External “This ruling is good news for the fight against racism in Spain, as it goes some way to righting the shameful wrong suffered by Vinicius Junior and sends a clear message to those who go to football stadiums to abuse him.
“La Liga will identify them, report them and there will be criminal consequences.
“I understand that the timing of these sentences may be a bit frustrating, but it shows that Spain is a country where justice is guaranteed.
“We in La Liga can only respect the pace of justice, but we once again demand the development of Spanish legislation that would give La Liga sanctions powers to accelerate the fight against racism.”
Real Madrid said they “will continue to work to protect the values of our club and to eradicate any racist behavior from football and sport”.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino hailed the verdicts as a “positive step” and praised the “firm action”.
Infantino wrote on his Instagram Story: “Our message to people around the world who still exhibit racist behavior in football is clear: we don’t want you. These people must be excluded, are they not Part of our community and not part of football.
