This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/Sparky-moon on 2026-02-18 15:41:20+00:00.
Original Title: Vinícius Jr. has been subjected to 20 acts of racism, directly or indirectly, since arriving in Europe in 2018. One of those cases resulted in a historic ruling, as three Valencia fans were sentenced to 8 months in prison and banned from stadiums for 2 years.
This is the 20th incident directly or indirectly linked to the Brazilian player, in a list that has been growing since his arrival in European soccer in 2018. Despite the activation of protocols and the intervention of VAR, history repeats itself, highlighting a structural problem that the Brazilian has decided to address publicly.
The first attacks and initial inaction (2021-2022)
October 24, 2021 (Camp Nou) During a Clásico match, a fan shouted “monkey” at him when he was substituted. The case was closed because the police were unable to identify the perpetrator.
March 14, 2022 (Son Moix) Mallorca fans imitated monkey sounds and shouted “go pick bananas” at him. The courts did not take action, considering the sounds to be “despicable” but not criminal.
September 16, 2022 (Television) On the program “El Chiringuito,” an agent urged him to “stop acting like a monkey” and respect his opponents. The comment sparked worldwide outrage, especially in Brazil.
September 18, 2022 (Metropolitano) Groups of Atlético Madrid fans chanted “Vinícius, you’re a monkey” outside the stadium. Prosecutors did not press charges, considering that the chant only lasted a few seconds.
December 30, 2022 (José Zorrilla) He was subjected to insults as he made his way to the Valladolid bench. In May 2025, five fans were sentenced to one year in prison for this hate crime.
The escalation and the first arrests (2023)
January 26, 2023 (Valdebebas) A doll wearing Vinícius’ jersey was found hanging from a bridge. Four members of the Frente Atlético were sentenced to between 14 and 22 months in prison, which were later commuted to fines and restraining orders.
February 5, 2023 (Son Moix) A fan shouted “monkey” at him again. He was identified and suspended for three years after it was confirmed that he repeated the behavior with another player.
February 18, 2023 (El Sadar) A video captured a fan shouting racist insults after a goal. The case was closed due to the lack of identification of the perpetrator.
March 5, 2023 (Benito Villamarín) Racist chants were detected from the Betis stands. The police identified an individual and referred the case to the courts.
March 19, 2023 (Camp Nou) Shouts of “monkey” and “Vinícius, die” during El Clásico. A year later, there were no procedural developments.
May 21, 2023 (Mestalla) The turning point. Vinícius confronted the stands after receiving insults. Later, in extra time, he was sent off after an argument with Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and hitting Hugo Duro in the face. In June 2024, three fans were sentenced to eight months in prison and two years away from stadiums, the first sentence of its kind in Spain.
Attacks on minors and online abuse (2023-2024)
September 24, 2023 (Metropolitano) An 8-year-old girl suffered an anxiety attack after receiving racist insults for wearing a Vinícius shirt. A fan was arrested in February 2024.
October 21, 2023 (Sánchez Pizjuán) A Sevilla fan was ejected after making monkey gestures. Vinícius reported that a girl was also making the same gestures.
March 2, 2024 (Mestalla) On his return, he was booed loudly. He scored two goals and celebrated with his fist raised. Valencia banned a documentary about the player as a “precautionary measure.”
March 13, 2024 (Metropolitano) Chants of “Vinícius, chimpanzee” before a Champions League match between Atlético Madrid and Inter. Real Madrid reported the incident to the hate crimes prosecutor’s office.
March 16, 2024 (El Sadar) Shouts of “Vinícius, die.” Real Madrid accused referee Juan Martínez Munuera of deliberately omitting the insults from his report.
September 29, 2024 (Metropolitano) Four people were arrested for inciting a hate campaign on social media under anonymity to insult the player during the derby against Atlético Madrid.
Most recent incidents (2025-2026)
February 27, 2025 (Reale Arena) During the Copa del Rey semifinal against Real Sociedad, referee José María Sánchez Martínez activated the anti-intolerance protocol. The match was initially stopped due to chants against another player, but cameras captured a fan making monkey gestures toward Vinícius while the game was stopped. The club issued warnings over the loudspeaker and on LED screens rejecting the xenophobic chants.
January 14, 2026 (Carlos Belmonte) In Álvaro Arbeloa’s debut as coach, a group of Albacete fans hurled racist insults at the Brazilian. LaLiga strongly condemned the incidents, reaffirming its support for the player.
February 17, 2026 (Estádio da Luz) Vinícius accused Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him during a celebration. The referee activated the protocol and stopped the match for ten minutes, although UEFA is investigating the case due to the lack of conclusive audiovisual evidence.