In a landmark ruling, three Valencia fans have been sentenced to eight months in prison after pleading guilty to racially insulting Real Madrid striker Vinícius Júnior. This case marks the first conviction for racism in professional football in Spain.

The fans will also face a two-year ban from attending football stadiums and are required to cover the costs of any legal proceedings. The sentences were handed down following the fans’ arrest after a Spanish league match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium in May 2023. The match was temporarily halted after Vinícius Júnior was subjected to racial abuse.

Following the incident, Valencia had already imposed stadium bans on the supporters involved. This sentencing underscores Spain’s efforts to tackle racism in sports and sets a significant precedent for future cases.