Vinicius Jr. gets justice in court « Euro Weekly News

In a historic verdict handed down by Spanish authorities, three Valencia fans were found guilty of racist abuse against Brazilian footballer Vinicius Jr. The incident, which occurred during a match between Valencia and Real Madrid, reignited the debate on how football confronts and addresses such toxic behavior within Spain. his fan base.

The match between Valencia and Real Madrid took place on May 21.^st , 2023, when Vinicius Jr. was subjected to vile racist abuse from sections of the Valencia supporters. The chants and gestures aimed at the player were repeated throughout the game and became increasingly derogatory towards Vinicius Jr, and included monkey imitations.

The verdict handed down by the prosecution against the three supporters, they pleaded guilty in court. During the trial, each of the accused read a letter of apology addressed to Vinicius Jr, La Liga and Real Madrid. This did not result in a conviction, but a ban from attending football stadiums for two years. If any of the three commit further offenses they could be sentenced to prison. After the sentencing, the court made a statement explaining that “screams and gestures of a racist nature, consisting, among other things, of the repetition of sounds and the imitation of monkey movements, provoked in the footballer feelings of frustration, shame and humiliation, with the resulting attack on one’s intrinsic dignity.

La Liga president Javier Tebas said: “This decision is excellent news for the fight against racism in Spain as it repairs the damage suffered by Vinicius Jr and sends a clear message to those who go to a football stadium. football to insult that La Liga will identify report them and there will be criminal consequences for them”. Tebas then explained that even if there was such a gap between the incident and the conviction, “Spain is a country. which guarantees judicial integrity.

This verdict represents an important moment in the fight against racism in football. By holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, the justice system sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. This historic decision sets a precedent for future cases and reinforces the idea that racism has no place in football.

For Vinicius Jr, this is not the first incident he has been subjected to, as more than sixteen incidents of racist abuse against him have been reported against him. No athlete should have to endure such hateful treatment simply because of their race or ethnicity.

While Vinicius Jr. has shown remarkable resilience on the pitch, he was driven to tears in March this year when he admitted that recurring insults were having a considerable effect on his concentration on the game. The legendary footballer Thierry Henry affirmed his support for the Real Madrid player earlier this month, saying he considers Vinicius Jr. “the best player in the world”.

Many calls for change within football have multiplied and intensified. Many argue that stricter penalties, including lifetime bans for violators, are necessary to prevent future incidents of racism. It also comes days before UEFA Euro 2024 kicks off, where Germany and Scotland are set to kick off at 9 p.m., leading fans to hope that UEFA and FIFA will do whatever it takes what is in their power to not let racism taint their experience. . The championship will see Spain play Saturday at 6 p.m., against Croatia.

The Vinicius Jr. racism case not only serves as a wake-up call for football to confront its demons, but the justice served shines as a fine example of the work being done towards a more inclusive future in football. It is essential that everyone involved in sport – players, coaches, fans and officials – unite against racism in all its forms. By taking a united stance, football can send a powerful message that discrimination has no place on the pitch or in the stands.