In Spain, a case was brought against a citizen who made racist insults in the comments section of the Spanish newspaper Marca, which resulted in a conviction by the Court of Instruction No 5 of Parla (Madrid).

Real Madrid said that the individual, "acting under various pseudonyms in the digital forum of the newspaper Marca, made serious racist attacks and insults against our players Vinicius Junior and Antonio Rudiger".

"The court sentenced the accused to eight months in prison and banned him from participating in the aforementioned forum for 20 months," the latest Champions League winners announced on 1 June.

The defendant was found guilty of two offences againstBrazilian Vinicius Jr and German Antonio Rudiger, both aggravated by the fact that he acted with racist motives and, in the case of the German defender, in contempt of his religion.

In addition to the eight-month suspended prison sentences, the court also imposed an additional penalty requiring the defendants to participate in an anti-discrimination programme. Failure to comply could result in actual imprisonment. Real Madrid pointed out that this was the second criminal conviction for racist abuse of its players. On 10 June, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for racially abusing Vinicius in May 2023.

Vinicius, a prominent figure in Spanish football, has become the target of many fans who have hurled racist insults at him. In January 2023, a mannequin wearing Vinicius' shirt was found hanging from a bridge near the club's training ground alongside a banner reading: "Madrid hates Real".

In December, four Atletico Madrid fans were charged over the incident, with prosecutors seeking four-year prison sentences. A trial date has yet to be set.