Brazilian Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior on Monday welcomed the “historic conviction” of three Valencia supporters to eight months in prison for racist insults against him, a first in Spain.
“This first historic conviction (…) is not for me. It’s for all black people.”declared Vinicius on his official accounts of several social networks. “Let other racists be afraid, ashamed or hide. If not, I’ll be there to claim (justice)»he insisted.
Sentenced as part of a guilty plea procedure for criminal offenses “moral integrity” aggravated by a “discrimination based on racism”the three supporters were also banned from stadiums for two years, the Valencia High Court announced in a press release.
These three young Spaniards were prosecuted for having uttered racist insults and cries against Vinicius on May 21, 2023, during a La Liga match between Real Madrid and Valencia CF at the Mestalla stadium. “A lot of people asked me to ignore it, others said my fight was in vain and I should just play football”said the Brazilian.
Currently in the United States, where he is preparing to play the Copa América with the Seleçao (June 20-July 14), the 23-year-old is a serious candidate for the Ballon d’Or. He was voted best player in the Champions League, the 15th won by Real, after notably scoring the second goal in Madrid’s 2-0 victory in the final against Borussia Dortmund at the start of June at Wembley.
