Four sentenced to prison for hate crime after hanging Vinicius Jr dummy from bridge ahead of Real Madrid clash against Atletico Madrid

In January 2023, hours before a Copa del Rey clash between Madrid and Atletico, a racist stunt shocked Spanish football, a dummy wearing Vinicius Jr’s shirt was hung from a bridge. The act was reported immediately, and legal proceedings began.

Now, according to Marca, over two-and-a-half years later, the Madrid court has sentenced four men for hate crimes and threats. La Liga, Real Madrid, and Spanish authorities have come under fire in the past for not taking racism seriously. This ruling is a landmark in showing zero tolerance for hate and violence in football culture.

All four offenders are banned from football stadiums for four years and the main offender got 15 months for hate crime, seven months for threats and a €1,804 fine. Three other suspects were sentenced to seven months in prison for hate crimes and a further seven for threats and a fine of €720 each. They must stay 1,000 metres away from Vinicius. Apology letters were sent to the player, Real Madrid, La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the offenders must complete an anti-discrimination education program.

La Liga called this a “firm step” in the fight against racism and promised to keep pushing for legal consequences in such cases. The verdict sends a clear message to fans and players that racist behaviour will no longer go unchecked.