December 6, 2024

Real Madrid have confirmed an individual has been given a suspended eight-month prison sentence for racially abusing Vinicius Jr and Antonio Rudiger.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Real Madrid confirmed on Wednesday that a Spanish court has handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence to an individual who racially abused both Vinicius and Rudiger in the comments section of Spanish news site Marca. The person used multiple accounts to do so, while also denigrating the faith of Rudiger, who is a Muslim.

  • Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates scoringGetty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The offender has not been named but they were found guilty of harming the moral integrity of the players. They have only avoided prison because they have agreed to participate in an anti-discrimination awareness program.

    WHAT REAL MADRID SAID
    Madrid said in a statement: “Real Madrid C.F. announces that the Parla Court of Instruction No. 5 has today handed down a guilty verdict against a person who, acting under various pseudonyms on the digital forum of the Marca newspaper, directed serious racist attacks and insults against our players Vinicius Junior and Antonio Rüdiger.

    “The accused was found guilty of two offences against moral integrity committed against Vinicius Junior and Antonio Rüdiger, both aggravated by the fact that they acted with racist motives and, in the case of Antonio Rüdiger, also in contempt of his religion. The court ordered the accused to serve eight months in prison and not to participate in the above-mentioned forum for 20 months. The suspended prison sentence was made conditional on the defendant’s participation in an equal treatment and non-discrimination programme. This is the second criminal conviction for the racist insults received by Real Madrid players, which in this case and for the first time, has sanctioned the intolerable attacks of this nature that also occur on digital forums and social networks.

    “Real Madrid, which, together with Vinicius Junior, has acted as the private prosecutor in the proceedings, will continue to work to protect the values of our club and to eradicate any racist behaviour in the world of football and sport. Finally, Real Madrid is grateful for the cooperation of the fan who, upon detecting the insults that have been condemned in the Marca newspaper forum, brought them to the attention of the authorities and our club.”

    real madrid celebrate-super cup-20240114(C)Getty Images
    WHAT NEXT?
    European Champions Real Madrid continue their preparation for the new season. They face AC Milan on August 1 in a pre-season friendly.

    Source goal.com

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