Three Valencia supporters have been handed prison sentences following their guilty pleas for racially abusing Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior, a significant milestone in Spanish soccer as it marks the first legal action taken against racism in professional football in the country. The fans, whose identities have not been disclosed, will be serving eight-month prison terms and are prohibited from attending any soccer matches for a period of two years, in addition to being held financially responsible for the legal proceedings that ensued.

The incident took place at Mestalla Stadium during a match between Real Madrid and Valencia in May 2023, prompting a temporary halt in the game after Vinícius faced racial insults. This event became a catalyst for a wave of solidarity towards Vinícius, a Black player, triggering widespread demands for authorities and society to take decisive action against racism, marking a potential watershed moment in the fight against racial discrimination in Spanish football. The court's decision, which found the defendants guilty of a moral integrity offense with the aggravating factor of discrimination rooted in racist motivations, was driven by the Spanish league's initiative, with support from the Spanish soccer federation, Real Madrid, and Vinícius himself.