Fines and stadium bans. A committee of the Spanish Superior Sports Council (Consejo Superior de Deportes) announced on Monday (June 5th) heavy sanctions against supporters who committed acts of a racist nature against Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.
The four people accused of having hanged a model bearing the image of the Brazilian striker at the end of January from a bridge in the Spanish capital before a derby against Atlético are fined 60,001 euros and banned for two years of stadiums, announced in a press release the permanent commission of the State Commission against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport, which depends on the Spanish sports ministry. Arrested two weeks ago before being released, these members of an ultra group are being prosecuted for "hate crimes", a criminal category including racist offenses in Spain.
Regular insults
A regular target of racist acts, Vinicius was targeted with fresh insults in Valencia on May 28 that sparked a wave of international outrage. The three people who have been identified as the authors of these insults will be sanctioned with a fine of 5,000 euros and a one-year stadium ban, added the Higher Sports Council.
These sanctions still have to be approved by government bodies responsible for security issues in the country.
After the latest bout of racist slurs against Vinicius, FA president Luis Rubiales admitted the country had "a racism problem" in football as the left-wing government called on him to be tougher on these acts.
