A supporter of Real Mallorca has been handed a 12-month prison sentence and a three-year ban from attending football matches after racially abusing Nigerian player Samuel Chukwueze during a La Liga fixture.
The Palma de Mallorca Court delivered the verdict, citing that the fan hurled racist slurs at Chukwueze while at the Son Moix Stadium.
This act was classified as two offences against moral integrity, according to Real Madrid FC’s statement.
judgementThe court also noted that the fan had previously targeted Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior with racial abuse, which influenced the final judgement.
“Real Madrid C. F. communicates that the Court of Palma de Mallorca has today issued a conviction against the person who, from his locality in the stands of the Son Moix stadium, directed racist insults against our player Vinicius Júnior in the match played by Mallorca and Real Madrid on February 5, 2023.
The accused has been found guilty of two crimes against moral integrity, aggravated by having acted with racist motivations, committed against Vinicius Júnior, and also against the player Samu Chukwueze, at that time a Villarreal player, who suffered similar insults in the Son Moix stadium by the same person two weeks later.
“The court has decreed the sentence of twelve months in prison against the accused, also condemning him not to access soccer stadiums where matches of the National Professional Football League and the Royal Spanish Football Federation are held for a period of three years,” portions of the statement read.
Racial abuse has been a significant issue for black players in the Spanish La Liga, with Vinicius Junior being a prominent advocate against it.