Vinicius Jr said racists should be “afraid” after three Valencia fans were each sentenced to eight months in prison for abusing him during a match last year.
The convictions are the first convictions linked to racist abuse in Spanish football, and the Real Madrid striker welcomed the decision to hand down prison sentences to those involved.
“The first criminal conviction in the history of Spain is not aimed at me, but at all black people,” the Brazilian said on the social network X.
“Let other racists be afraid, ashamed and hiding in the shadows. If not, I will be there to hold them accountable. Thank you to La Liga and Real Madrid for contributing to this historic conviction. Others at come…”
The abuse sanctioned by a Valencia court occurred during a league match at the city’s Mestalla stadium on May 21 last year. LaLiga filed the initial complaint which resulted in the opening of criminal proceedings.
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Vinicius Junior broke down in tears last season while discussing the racism he suffered while playing for Real Madrid, saying he just wanted to play football.
The individuals were also given a two-year stadium ban at any venue hosting LaLiga matches or matches under the jurisdiction of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
LaLiga said Valencia cooperated with the investigation and expelled the three people as members of the club.
A letter of apology to Vinicius from the defendants was read out during the hearing, LaLiga and Real confirmed.
LaLiga wants to “accelerate the fight against racism”
La Liga president Javier Tebas wants to accelerate sanctions for racism offenses
“This decision is excellent news for the fight against racism in Spain, as it goes some way towards repairing the shameful wrong suffered by Vinicius Jr and sends a clear message to those who go to a football stadium to throw protests. insults,” said La Liga president Javier. said Tebas.
“LaLiga will identify them, report them and there will be criminal consequences.
“I understand that there may be some frustration with the time it takes for these convictions to be handed down, but it shows that Spain is a country that guarantees judicial integrity.
“We in LaLiga can only respect the pace of justice, but once again we demand that Spanish legislation evolves to give La Liga sanctioning powers that can accelerate the fight against racism.”
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Speaking ahead of the Champions League final, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham was asked about teammate Vinicius Junior’s Ballon d’Or win.
Currently, La Liga can only submit the facts of a case to the relevant judicial authorities and is not able to sanction clubs, supporters or players itself for hateful behavior, racism or acts of violence.
Real Madrid released a statement confirming the convictions which concluded: “Real Madrid, which has exercised private prosecution with Vinicius Junior in this proceeding, will continue to work to protect the values of our club and eradicate any racist behavior in the world of football. football and sports.
Infantino: Rasicts is not part of the football community
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the convictions as a “positive step” in the fight against racism in football.
He wrote on his Instagram Stories: “I am happy to see the strong action and condemnation taken by the Spanish authorities regarding the racist abuse directed at Vinicius Jr during a Spanish La Liga match in May 2023. It is a positive step.
“As I clearly reiterated at the recent FIFA Congress in Bangkok, we can no longer accept what is happening in the stadiums and on the pitch.
“Our message to people around the world who still behave in a racist manner when dealing with football is clear: we don’t want you. These people must be excluded, they are not part of our community and they are not not a football game.
“This decision illustrates one of FIFA’s five pillars of action: criminal charges. Together, united within world football, we will push for racism to be recognized as a criminal offense in every country in the world and , as we see today in Spain, where there is already a crime, will push for prosecutions with the severity they deserve.
