The Anti-Violence Commission has imposed strict penalties on the two Real Sociedad fans who directed racist insults at Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. during the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal, according to a report by Mundo Deportivo.
During the match at Reale Arena, cameras captured two individuals making racist monkey gestures toward the Brazilian winger. The incident occurred just before halftime, at a moment when Vinicius was already being booed and jeered by sections of the home crowd.
Fines and Stadium Ban Imposed
Real Sociedad, in cooperation with the Basque police (Ertzaintza), swiftly launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators. The findings were submitted to the Anti-Violence Commission, which has now ruled that each offender will be fined €4,000 and banned from attending any sporting events for a year.
The official decision was announced following a meeting at the headquarters of the Higher Sports Council, where the commission reaffirmed its strong stance against racism in football.
A Clear Message Against Racism
In its statement, the commission confirmed that the two individuals were found guilty of "shouting and making xenophobic and racist gestures" toward Vinicius in the 46th minute of the match, leading to the sanctions.
This ruling underscores the growing commitment to combating racism in football. While the fine and stadium ban serve as a warning, many will be watching to see if future incidents result in even harsher punishments.
The hope remains that such measures will deter discriminatory behavior and help foster a more respectful atmosphere in the sport.
