3 People Given 8 Months in Prison for Racially Abusing Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr.

Three fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for racially abusing Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior at a match in May 2023, according to ESPN's Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez.

The fans also received a two-year stadium ban.

"This ruling is great news regarding the fight against racism in Spain," LaLiga president Javier Tebas said. "It redresses the wrong suffered by Vinícius Júnior and sends a clear message to those people who go to a football stadium to hurl abuse. LaLiga will identify them, report them and there will be criminal consequences for them."

Vinícius Júnior discussed the news in a social media post:

Real Madrid also issued a statement on the verdict.

"The three defendants acknowledged their criminal liability and have released an apology letter addressed to our player Vinícius Júnior, to Real Madrid C.F. and to everyone else who felt offended and degraded by their behaviour," the club said. "As well as showing their remorse, the three defendants asked in their letter to fans that all forms of racism and intolerance be eradicated in competitions."

Madrid suffered a 1-0 defeat to Valencia at Mestalla. Vinícius received a red card in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time following a confrontation with Valencia players. He ultimately avoided a suspension.

The Brazilian attacker addressed the incident on X after the match and contended that "racism is normal in LaLiga" (via Reuters).

"The competition considers it normal, the federation considers it normal and the rivals encourage it," he said. "The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Lionel) Messi today belongs to the racists. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which accepted to export to the world the image of a racist country. I am sorry for those Spaniards who disagree but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. I am strong and I will go all the way against the racists. Even if it is far away from here."

Racist chanting at Spanish matches long predated Vinícius' arrival, and what unfolded in Valencia wasn't the only instance in which he was a target of abuse. Atlético Madrid supporters purportedly called him a "monkey" during a September 2022 match. Real Valladolid suspended 12 of its club members in February 2023 after they verbally abused the 23-year-old.

During a press conference in March while on national team duty, Vinícius began to get emotional when discussing the racism he continues to experience.

Monday's conviction was the first ever stemming from racist abuse at a soccer stadium in Spain.