Fan jailed for racial abuse of Chukwueze, Vinicius Jr., banned from stadiums

Real Mallorca fan who racially abused Nigerian footballer Samuel Chukwueze during a Spanish La Liga game has been sentenced to 12 months in prison and banned from stadiums for three years.

According to a statement from Real Madrid FC, the Court of Palma de Mallorca convicted the fan after determining that he directed racist insults at the Son Moix Stadium, resulting in two crimes against moral integrity.

The court also found that the fan had racially abused Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, which contributed to the ruling.

“Real Madrid C. F. communicates that the Court of Palma de Mallorca has today issued a conviction against the person who, from his locality in the stands of the Son Moix stadium, directed racist insults against our player Vinicius Júnior in the match played by Mallorca and Real Madrid on February 5, 2023. The accused has been found guilty of two crimes against moral integrity, aggravated by having acted with racist motivations, committed against Vinicius Júnior, and also against the player Samu Chukwueze, at that time a Villarreal player, who suffered similar insults in the Son Moix stadium by the same person, two weeks later.

“The court has decreed the sentence of twelve months in prison against the accused, also condemning him not to access soccer stadiums where matches of the National Professional Football League and the Royal Spanish Football Federation are held for a period of three years,” portions of the statement read.

Racial abuse has been a significant issue for black players in the Spanish La Liga, with Vinicius Junior being a prominent advocate against it.

Read the full statement below:

🚨 REAL MADRID STATEMENT: Charges against those who abused Vini Jr., Aurelien Tchouaméni and Samu Chukwueze.

Real Madrid C. F. communicates that the Court of Palma de Mallorca has today issued a conviction against the person who, from his locality in the stands of the Son Moix… pic.twitter.com/mxqetySxZ2

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) September 26, 2024