Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian footballer, responded to the sentencing of three Valencia fans who racially abused him during a match at Mestalla.
Incident and Legal Action
During a match between Valencia and Real Madrid on May 21st, Vinicius Junior was subjected to racist insults from fans at Mestalla. The Brazilian forward reported the incident, leading to the identification of the perpetrators through LaLiga and Valencia’s internal cameras.
Legal Outcome and Vinicius’s Response
The three fans involved in the racial abuse were sentenced to eight months in prison and banned from football stadiums for two years. Vinicius expressed his reaction to the ruling, expressing hope that it will serve as a deterrent to other racists. He declared opposition to racism, seeing himself as its adversary rather than a victim. 
Significance and Support
Vinicius emphasized the historical significance of the conviction, thanking La Liga and Real Madrid for their support throughout the process. He warned racists about the consequences of their actions and hinted at further actions against racism in the future.
Vinicius Junior’s response to the conviction highlights the ongoing fight against racism in football. Legal action sets precedent against racial abuse, reinforcing that racism has no place in football or society.
