Fan who threw banana peel at Vinicius Jr identified by Spanish police
Police have tracked down the spectator responsible for the racist incident during Albacete vs Real Madrid Copa del Rey match at Carlos Belmonte stadium last month.
Spanish authorities have finally caught up with the culprit behind the disgraceful banana peel incident targeting Vinicius Jr in January’s Copa del Rey clash.
Racist incident finally resolved
The National Police have identified the spectator who threw a banana peel at Brazilian star Vinicius Jr during the Copa del Rey round of 16 match between Albacete and Real Madrid on January 14th at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium.
According to Monday’s police statement, the fan was located in the stadium’s main stand during the incident, which authorities have described as “a clear sign of racism against the athlete.” Bit of an understatement there, if you ask me.
The identification came thanks to the technical resources and security measures deployed specifically for the match. Proper job from the Spanish police on this one.
Consequences for the perpetrator
The culprit has now been recommended for administrative sanctions under Spain’s Law 19/2007 of July 11th, which specifically targets violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport.
It’s another sad chapter in what’s been a recurring nightmare for Vinicius Jr in Spanish football. The Brazilian forward has repeatedly been subjected to racist abuse across various stadiums in Spain, becoming something of an unwilling poster boy for the fight against discrimination in La Liga.
Wider context
This incident is part of a troubling pattern that’s been plaguing Spanish football:
- Vinicius has faced multiple racist incidents across various stadiums
- Real Madrid has filed numerous complaints about the treatment of their star
- La Liga has been criticized for what many see as insufficient action
- FIFA and UEFA have expressed concerns about racism in Spanish football
While identifying the perpetrator is a step in the right direction, many observers will be watching carefully to see what actual punishment is handed down. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say.