Sevilla fan faces prison sentence after alleged racist abuse of Real Madrid star | OneFootball

A disturbing episode from Spanish football is now heading toward a legal conclusion, with serious consequences on the table. 

According to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo, the Sevilla supporter accused of racially abusing Vinicius Jr. is set to face trial, with a potential prison sentence looming.

The incident dates back to a La Liga clash in 2023 between Sevilla and Real Madrid at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. 

During that match, the Brazilian forward was subjected to racist insults from the stands, and now, the case has reached a critical point. 

Facing severe punishment

The individual involved, a former Sevilla season-ticket holder who has already been identified and expelled by the club, is scheduled to stand trial at the Provincial Court of Seville on April 29. 

Reports indicate that the prosecution is pushing for a sentence of one year and nine months in prison.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the accused targeted Vinicius repeatedly with racist abuse while calling him “m**key” during the match. 

The behaviour included offensive gestures and sounds like ‘uh, uh, uh, uh’ aimed directly at the player, actions described as showing contempt for his skin colour. 

Vinicius was targeted by a Sevilla fan. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

The prosecution states that these actions caused emotional harm, including feelings of humiliation and frustration.

They address that the accused caused harm through various “expressions of contempt, which consisted of mimicking the gestures made by primates and repeatedly shouting ‘monkey’ as well as the sounds ‘uh, uh, uh, uh,’ an onomatopoeia that imitates the sound made by monkeys.”

Real Madrid are all in

Importantly, both Real Madrid and La Liga have joined the case as private prosecutors.

In addition to the potential prison sentence, the accused, with “a crime against moral integrity, punishable under Article 173.1 of the Penal Code,” also faces further punishment, as the authorities are also seeking a two-year ban from entering football stadiums.

Meanwhile, Sevilla, with assistance from the National Police, identified the individual and expelled him in line with internal disciplinary rules.