Four people were received in prison by a Madrid court after they have been guilty of a hate crime with regard to an image of Real Madrid Vooruit Vinicius Jr, Laliga of Spain said in a statement on Monday.
They were all involved in hanging a banner with reading “Madrid Hates Real” and an inflatable black image in a replica of the No. 20 -shirt of the Brazilian on a bridge for a Copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid in January 2023.
According to the ruling, a suspect was sentenced to 15 months in prison for a hate crime and another seven months before making threats, after he has spread images of the law online. The other three were sentenced to seven months in prison for hate crimes and seven months for threats.
However, they will not be of prison time after all four of them have signed a letter of apologetic to Vinicius, Real Madrid, Laliga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
“The suspect who posted the video online received a special disqualification of working in education, sports or recreational youth institutions for four years and three months, while the others received three years and seven months,” said the Liga statement.
The first suspect received a fine of 1,084 euros ($ 1,250) and the other three 720 euros, with extra penalties, including a restrictive order of 1,000 meters from Vinicius, his home and work, and a ban on approaching football stadiums during Leaga or RFEF matches.
They will all be obliged to participate in an educational program on equal treatment and non-discrimination to have the prison sentences suspended.
There was no immediate confirmation from the court and no immediate response from Vinicius.