Four Receive Suspended Jail Sentences Over Vinícius Jr. Effigy Incident

A Madrid court has convicted four individuals of a hate crime related to a racist effigy targeting Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. in January 2023.

The incident involved an inflatable black figure wearing the player’s No. 20 shirt and a banner stating “Madrid hates Real,” which was hung from a bridge before a Copa del Rey match against Atlético Madrid.

One defendant was sentenced to 15 months for the hate crime and seven more for issuing threats after sharing images online. The other three each received seven-month sentences for both charges.

However, none will serve prison time, as their sentences were suspended following formal written apologies to Vinícius Jr., Real Madrid, LaLiga, and the Spanish Football Federation.

In addition to suspended prison sentences, the individual who shared the video of the effigy targeting Vinícius Jr. has been barred from working in education, sports, or recreational youth settings for four years and three months.

The other three defendants received similar bans lasting three years and seven months.

Fines were imposed as follows: €1,084 (approx. $1,250) for the main offender and €720 (approx. $834) each for the others. All four have been issued restraining orders requiring them to stay at least 1,000 meters away from Vinícius Jr., his home, and his workplace.

They are also prohibited from entering stadiums during LaLiga and RFEF matches.

To keep their sentences suspended, they must complete an educational course focused on equality and anti-discrimination. Neither the court nor Vinícius Jr. has issued a public response to the ruling.