A Madrid Court has handed down suspended jail sentences to four individuals after they were found guilty of a hate crime related to an effigy of Real madrid forward Vinicius Jr.

The individuals were involved in hanging a banner reading “Madrid hates Real” adn an inflatable black effigy in a replica of the brazilian’s No. 20 shirt on a bridge before a copa del Rey match against Atletico Madrid in January 2023.

According to the ruling,one defendant received a sentence of 15 months in prison for a hate crime and an additional seven months for making threats,stemming from the distribution of images of the act online. The other three were sentenced to seven months in prison for hate crimes and seven months for threats.

The prison sentences will be suspended, as all four defendants signed a letter of apology to vinicius, real Madrid, LaLiga and the spanish soccer federation (RFEF).

According to a LaLiga statement,”The defendant who posted the video online received a special disqualification from working in education,sports,or recreational youth settings for four years and three months,while the others received three years and seven months.”

the first defendant was fined €1,084, and the other three €720. Additional punishments include a 1,000-meter restraining order from Vinicius, his home and workplace, and a ban on approaching soccer stadiums during LaLiga or RFEF matches.

All four will be required to participate in an educational program on equal treatment and non-discrimination for the prison sentences to remain suspended.

There has been no immediate confirmation from the court and no immediate reaction from Vinicius.

“The defendant who posted the video online received a special disqualification…while the others received three years and seven months.”