06/10/2024 – 22:24
“May other racists be afraid, ashamed and hide in the shadows”, declared Brazilian striker Vinicius Júnior this Monday (10), moments after La Liga (the entity that organizes the Spanish Football Championship) announced that three people were sentenced to prison for racist insults hurled at him. According to the entity, this is the first sentence of this type handed down by the Spanish Court.
“Many asked me to ignore it, many others said that my fight was in vain and that I should just ‘play football’. But, as I’ve always said, I’m not a victim of racism. I am a tormentor of racists. This first criminal conviction in the history of Spain is not for me. It’s for all black people. May other racists be afraid, ashamed and hide in the shadows. Otherwise, I’ll be here to collect. Thank you to La Liga and Real Madrid for helping with this historic conviction. There’s more to come”, the Real Madrid (Spain) and Brazilian national team player published on his profile on a social network.
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Many asked me to ignore it, many others said that my fight was in vain and that I should just “play football”.
But, as I’ve always said, I’m not a victim of racism. I am a tormentor of racists. This first criminal conviction in the history of Spain is not for me. It’s because… https://t.co/NdezpJBjF2
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) June 10, 2024
Racist attacks
The racist chants that led to these convictions were made by Valencia (Spain) fans during a match against Real Madrid in May last year. In a statement, La Liga highlighted that the defendants were found guilty of a crime against moral integrity with the aggravating factor of discrimination for racist reasons.
The three fans were sentenced to eight months in prison and paid the costs of the case. They will also be banned for two years from stadiums hosting games organized by La Liga or the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
“This is the first conviction of this type handed down in Spain, following a process brought to court by La Liga, with the support of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Real Madrid and, in recent weeks, the victim himself, Vinicius Júnior,” said the LaLiga.
Also according to the entity, during the hearing the defendants read a letter in which they apologized to Vinicius Júnior and Real Madrid.
“This decision is great news when it comes to the fight against racism in Spain, as it repairs the harm suffered by Vinicius Júnior. and it sends a clear message to people who go to a football stadium to parade insults. La Liga will identify them, report them and there will be criminal consequences for them”, said the entity’s president, Javier Tebas.
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