Prosecutors in Madrid have decided not to press charges against racist chanting directed at Vinicius Junior prior to the Madrid derby because it “lasted a few seconds” and did not constitute a criminal act.
On Sept. 18, a group of Atletico Madrid fans were filmed singing “Vinicius, you’re a monkey” outside the Civitas Metropolitano stadium before the match, which Real Madrid won 2-1.
The anti-racist pressure group Movement Against Intolerance later filed a complaint, and LaLiga also reported the chanting to the Spanish Football Federation’s Competition Committee and Spain’s Anti-Violence Commission.
Prosecutors have chosen not to investigate the case any further. According to the news agency EFE, the Madrid Prosecutor’s Office ascertained that the chanting, while “uncomfortable” and “disrespectful,” did not constitute a criminal offence.
According to EFE, the prosecutor determined that there was no specific act for which a specific person could be charged, and that the racist chanting, which occurred during a “hotly contested” football match, “would not be considered a crime against Vinicius’ dignity.”
Vinicius, who is representing Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar, stated that racist abusers should be barred from attending future games for life.
“Those Atletico Madrid fans should never allowed to enter a stadium again,” he said in October to Globo. “That will force them to face the consequences of their actions.”
In the days following the derby, Atletico Madrid criticised the chanting as “unacceptable,” declaring that the club had “zero tolerance for racism” and threatening to expel any members who were recognised as having participated.
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