A Mallorca football fan has been sentenced to a year in prison and a three-year stadium ban for racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and former Villarreal player Samuel Chukwueze. The supporter was found guilty of two crimes against moral integrity, aggravated by racist motives. The incident involving Vinicius occurred during a La Liga match in February 2023, followed by insults towards Chukwueze two weeks later. The fan’s prison sentence was suspended after he apologized, showed remorse, and completed an anti-discrimination program.
This marks the third criminal conviction in recent months for racist insults targeting Real Madrid players, particularly Vinicius. The Brazilian striker has faced numerous instances of abuse since joining the club in 2018. In June, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for racist insults directed at Vinicius during a match in May 2023. These incidents have sparked international outrage and fueled debate in Spain over the prevalence of racism in football stadiums.
Real Madrid also announced that a minor supporter of Mallorca who racially abused midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been banned from stadiums for a year. The individual has apologized, shown remorse, and agreed to participate in socio-educational activities as part of their sentence. In response to the ongoing issue of racism in stadiums, Vinicius Junior called for Spain to be stripped of its hosting duties for the 2030 World Cup unless significant progress is made. The upcoming derby clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium raises concerns, as Vinicius has been targeted with racial abuse at the venue in the past.
These cases highlight the persistent problem of racism in Spanish football and the need for more stringent measures to combat discrimination in stadiums. Real Madrid’s efforts to address and punish incidents of racial abuse demonstrate a commitment to promoting equality and inclusivity within the sport. However, the ongoing challenges faced by players like Vinicius underscore the urgency of addressing systemic racism and ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all participants in Spanish football. As the debate continues, it is clear that more needs to be done to eradicate racism from the sport and foster a culture of respect and acceptance among fans and players alike.
