Madrid shocked: prison terms for racist attacks on Vinicius!

Madrid shocked: prison terms for racist attacks on Vinicius!

In a sensational judgment, a court in Madrid sentenced four Atlético fans to do an imprisonment after they made a racist attack on Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian star player of Real Madrid. The incident occurred in January 2023, shortly before a crucial city derby, when the fans hanged an inflatable doll in a Vinicius jersey on a bridge and unrolled a transparent with the inscription "Madrid Has Real". The main perpetrator, who filmed and published the campaign online, received 22 months in prison, while three accomplices received 14 months in prison. However, these punishments were subjected to probation, on the condition that all four have to complete an anti-discrimination program in order not to have to compete.

like [ZDF] (https://www.zdfheute.de/sport/Fussball-spanien-hafst-hassst-hass- against-junior-100.html), the convicted people can no longer go near Vinicius in the future, which a minimum distance of 1000 meters from his apartment and the training area of ​​Real Madrid includes. They are also closed to all games of the Spanish Football Association (RFEF). The convicts also had to avoid the surroundings of the stadiums in which Vinicius plays on match days. This measure should ensure that the player will not be the goal of discrimination or threats again.

background and further punishments

The decision of the court not only reflects the individual case, but is part of a major problem that affects many players, including Vinicius junior. He has been repeatedly the goal of racist attacks in Spain, which indicates a deeply worn out racism problem in European football. The La Liga has submitted 18 complaints since October 2021 for racist comments to break through this pattern.

recently received a fan that was condemned after a similar incident in Mallorca, a prison sentence of one year on probation. In addition, a fine of up to 1,084 euros was also imposed in the judgment of Madrid, and the accused had to sign a letter of apology to Vinicius, Real Madrid and the association, which contributed to alleviating their punishments.

social relevance and initiatives

The incident is part of an alarming trend: racism in football is widespread in various forms, and reporting on racist incidents often promotes stereotypical perceptions. A report by the Federal Center for Political Education shows that there was a significant increase in the reported discrimination incidents in Europe.

to counteract this, La Liga and the RFEF have launched the Enlightenment Campaign #1VOICEVSRACISM, which is committed to racism in football. These initiatives are part of a greater understanding that football should be regarded not only as a sport, but also as a tool for integration and social merging. An effective approach to racism in football could have a negative impact on sporting integrity and hinder the development of a diverse and respectful environment.

The continued fight against racism in football remains of central importance, and the latest judgments could be a new turning point in dealing with these serious social issues.