Racism case involving Barcelona fans and Vinicius ends without punishment | OneFootball

A recent report by AS has revealed that a Barcelona judge has decided to dismiss the case involving racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. during the 2023 Clasico at Montjuic.

This move has not gone down well with Real Madrid, who, along with Vinicius and La Liga, have all officially appealed the decision.

The incident occurred during the heated clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid in October 2023.

After reviewing camera footage and witness statements, the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police) identified three Barcelona fans involved in the abuse, including one minor.

However, the judge in charge of the investigation claimed that the chants did not reach the level of a hate crime and had no real consequences, as Vinicius reportedly did not hear them.

Madrid remain firm in fight against racism

Vinicius Jr. allgedly suffered racist abuse against Barcelona in 2023. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Despite the case being dismissed, the judge did forward it to the Office for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination. Still, Real Madrid have made it clear they are not satisfied with how the matter has been handled.

From their side, it is not just about what the player heard or did not hear — it is about standing up against any form of racist behaviour in Spanish football.

The lip-reading report provided by La Liga suggested that one of the insults was “f***** monkey,” a claim Vinicius himself backed by recalling similar abuse.

Meanwhile, one of the suspects claimed he only shouted “a lot of nerve” in frustration at the referee. The judge sided with the defence, stating that the insults were not impactful enough to harm social harmony or the victim’s dignity.

This decision has rightly sparked criticism. For a club like Real Madrid, who have supported Vinicius through repeated racist attacks, it is a matter of principle. Allowing these incidents to go unpunished sets a worrying precedent.