Sports
I’m a tormentor of racists – Vinicius Jr on jailed abusers
The racist chants were aimed at Vinicius during a La Liga game at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium on May 21, 2023.
The fans were found guilty of a “crime against moral integrity” with “aggravating circumstance of discrimination based on racist motives”.
“I’m not a victim of racism. I am a tormentor of racists. This first criminal conviction in the history of Spain is not for me. It’s for all black people,” Vinicius posted on X.
“May other racists be afraid, ashamed and hide in the shadows. Otherwise, I’ll be here to collect. Thank you to La Liga and Real Madrid for helping with this historic conviction.”
It is the first time that a conviction for racism at a football match in Spain has been handed out and was a direct result of a complaint filed by La Liga.
An initial 12-month sentence was reduced by a third following an agreement reached at the preliminary investigation stage.
The fans were also banned from entering any football stadium in which La Liga and/or Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) matches are played for a period of three years, later reduced to two.
Brazil international Vinicius joined La Liga, Real Madrid and RFEF in bringing the case to court. The defendants read a letter of apology during the hearing.
La Liga president Javier Tebas said:, external “This ruling is great news for the fight against racism in Spain, as it goes some way to redressing the disgraceful wrong suffered by Vinicius Jr and sends a clear message to those individuals who go to a football stadium to hurl abuse.
“La Liga will identify them, report them, and there will be criminal consequences.
“I understand that there may be some frustration at the length of time it takes for these sentences to be handed down, but this shows that Spain is a country that guarantees judicial integrity.
“We at La Liga can only respect the pace of justice, but once again we demand that Spanish legislation evolve to give La Liga sanctioning powers that can speed up the fight against racism.”
Real Madrid said they “will continue to work to protect the values of our club and eradicate any racist behaviour in the world of football and sport”.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino hailed the sentences as a “positive step” and praised the “firm action”.
Writing on his Instagram Story, Infantino said: “Our message to people anywhere in the world who still behave in a racist way when they are dealing with football is clear: we don’t want you. These people have to be excluded, they are not part of our community and not part of football.”
This milestone was celebrated at a ceremony held at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, January 21, 2026.
A cross section of the twenty-three Ghanaian referees honored with their FIFA badges.
The badges, awarded annually by FIFA based on performance, fitness tests, and assessments from the previous year, authorize these officials to officiate international matches throughout 2026 across various formats.
The group includes:
- 10 Centre Referees
- 10 Assistant Referees
- 1 Futsal Referee
- 1 Beach Soccer Referee (notably, Portia Oppong, highlighted as a historic first female in this category for Ghana)
- 1 Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
Veteran referee Daniel Nii Laryea lead the list, retaining his status with dual recognition as both a Centre Referee and VAR official, showcasing his consistent excellence on the African and global stages.
Veteran Ghana referee Daniel Nii Laryea
In his address the GFA Vice-President Mark Addo congratulated them and urged them to aim for world-class standards: “Aspire for greatness. You are the soul and heart of the game.” He emphasized impartiality, fairness, and the responsibility that comes with representing Ghana internationally, with continued FIFA recognition depending on ongoing performance.
This achievement reflects Ghana’s strengthening presence in global refereeing, especially after past challenges in the sport. These referees are now set to take the pitch in international competitions, bringing pride to the nation.
Well done to all involved—keep upholding the highest standards!
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