Mallorca Fan Sentenced for Racially Abusing Vinicius Jr
A Real Mallorca supporter has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended, for racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr and former Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze. A Spanish court issued the ruling after the fan apologized via letter to Vinicius and completed anti-discrimination training. Additionally, he has received a three-year ban from attending matches.
"Real Madrid will keep working to protect the club's values and eradicate any racist behaviour in the world of football and sport," stated the club.
In a related case, another Mallorca supporter, a minor, was banned from stadiums for a year after directing racial abuse at midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. The incidents involving Vinicius occurred during Madrid's 1-0 La Liga loss to Mallorca at Son Moix stadium in February 2023, with further slurs directed at Chukwueze two weeks later.
This sentencing marks the third conviction in recent months concerning racist insults aimed at Real Madrid players, particularly Vinicius, who has faced such abuse since his arrival in Spain in 2018. In June, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for similar offenses against Vinicius at Mestalla Stadium in May 2023.
Earlier this month, Vinicius called for Spain to be stripped of its 2030 World Cup hosting rights unless significant progress is made in addressing racism within stadiums. Real Madrid is set to face city rivals Atletico at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday, where Vinicius has also previously encountered racist abuse.