Madrid Court Suspends Hate Crime Sentences for Fans

A Madrid court has handed suspended jail sentences ranging from 14 to 22 months to four individuals linked to Atletico Madrid's Frente Atletico ultras for hate crimes and threats after hanging an effigy of Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior and displaying a hostile banner before a 2023 Copa del Rey match. One of the convicted received a longer sentence for disseminating images of the act online. All four wrote letters of apology to Vinícius, Real Madrid, LaLiga, and the Spanish football federation, contributing to the suspension of their prison terms. The penalties also include fines, bans from working with youth, and restraining orders requiring them to stay 1,000 meters away from Vinícius and football stadiums. They must also complete an anti-discrimination educational program. The ruling is seen as an important legal precedent in Spain’s fight against racism in football, following recent convictions for abuse of Real Madrid players.