Mallorca Fan Receives Suspended Sentence for Racial Abuse of Vinicius Jr

A fan of Real Mallorca has been handed a 12-month suspended prison sentence by a Spanish court for racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr and former Villarreal player Samuel Chukwueze. The incident occurred during a La Liga match between Real Madrid and Mallorca in February 2023, where the fan directed racial slurs at both players. Following the court's decision, the supporter has also been banned from attending any sporting events for three years.

In a statement, Real Madrid confirmed that the individual had expressed remorse by apologizing to Vinicius Jr in writing and participating in anti-discrimination training. The club reiterated its commitment to combating racism in football, emphasizing the importance of protecting its values and ensuring such behavior is eradicated from the sport. Additionally, another minor Mallorca fan received a one-year ban for racially abusing midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

This conviction marks the third instance of legal action taken against individuals for racist insults directed at Real Madrid players, particularly Vinicius Jr, who has been a vocal advocate against racism since joining the club in 2018. Previous incidents have led to prison sentences for fans at other clubs as well. As Vinicius prepares for an upcoming match against city rivals Atletico Madrid, he continues to call for more significant measures to address racism in Spanish football, including the potential loss of Spain's hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup if progress is not made.