Real Madrid have scored a success in the fight against racist hate speech. After insults against Antonio Rüdiger and Vinicius Junior, a user receives a suspended prison sentence
A person who made racist insults against Real Madrid’s professional footballers Antonio Rüdiger and Vinicius Junior on an internet forum has been given an eight-month suspended prison sentence. The Spanish record champions announced that the District Court No. 5 of Parla had handed down a corresponding guilty verdict against the accused.
The person in question had used various pseudonyms in the forum of the digital edition of the newspaper Marca to “direct serious racist attacks and insults against our players Vinicius Junior and Antonio Rüdiger”, Real announced in a club statement. He is now banned from participating in the forum for 20 months.
The accused was found guilty of two offenses against moral integrity. In the case of German international Rüdiger, the offense was further aggravated by the fact that it was “also committed in contempt of his religion”, the club statement continued.
What is probation dependent on?
The suspended prison sentence was made conditional on the defendant participating in an equal treatment and anti-discrimination program. Marca published a letter of apology from the convict, who stated that he “regrets” and is “ashamed” of his actions.
“Real Madrid, who together with Vinicius Junior have acted as private plaintiffs in the proceedings, will continue to work to protect the values of our club and to combat all racist behavior in the world of soccer and sport”, the Champions League winners said.