Four sentenced over hanged Vinicius Jr effigy in Madrid hate crime

The incident occurred ahead of the Copa del Rey clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, when a mannequin dressed in Vinicius Jr's shirt was suspended from a bridge close to the Valdebebas training complex. A banner reading "Madrid hates Real" was displayed alongside the effigy.

According to the ruling, one of the defendants has been sentenced to a total of 22 months in prison – 15 months for a hate crime and a further seven months for issuing threats by sharing images of the act online. He has also been fined €1,084 to be paid over nine months and one day at a daily rate of €4.

The remaining three defendants were each handed 14-month prison terms – seven months for a hate crime and seven for threats – along with fines of €720, to be paid over six months at the same daily rate.

In addition, all four have been issued with restraining orders preventing them from coming within 1,000 metres of Vinicius Jr, his residence, or Real Madrid's training ground for a period of four years. They are also barred from attending any stadium within one kilometre of the Brazilian's matches in Spain during the four hours before and after each fixture.

The court further imposed professional disqualifications on the group, banning them from working in educational, sporting and youth-related roles. This disqualification will last for four years and three months for the individual who disseminated the images online, and for three years and seven months for the others.

As part of the sentencing, all four offenders have submitted formal written apologies addressed to Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid, LaLiga, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), in order to obtain mitigating consideration for repairing the damage caused. They are also required to complete an anti-discrimination educational programme as a condition for avoiding immediate imprisonment.

"This ruling represents a firm step forward in the fight against hate and discrimination in sport," La Liga said in a statement, after acting as a joint plaintiff in the case against the Atletico Madrid ultras responsible for the now-confirmed and condemned acts.