A National Police inquiry was opened into racist insults directed at Vinícius Jr. as Real Madrid arrived at Mestalla on May 21. A crowd gathered outside the stadium, and accounts describe verbal abuse including demeaning terms aimed at the Brazilian forward. The incident drew attention to the atmosphere surrounding the match and the need to address hateful conduct within football venues.
Police sources confirmed on Thursday that they could not specify to EFE whether any individuals had been identified or charged in relation to the off‑site racist shouts. Evidence from multiple videos posted on social networks supports the existence of abusive language directed at the player, though the status of formal identifications remained unclear at that time.
Valencia’s 10th Investigative Court is examining racial slurs directed at the Real Madrid player by various spectators inside Mestalla, with particular focus on the Animation Booth where groups of fans are known to gather. The court is reviewing materials related to the police report and the alleged offences recorded within the stadium boundaries.
Sources from the Valencian Community High Court of Justice (TSJCV) told EFE that the court is evaluating the content of the police report concerning insults reported inside the venue. The aim is to determine if the described conduct constitutes an offence under applicable hate crime provisions and to establish appropriate measures.
As a consequence, three young people aged between 18 and 21 were arrested on suspicions of committing a hate crime, and the Competition Committee initially imposed a five‑game suspension on the Animation Tier, a penalty later reduced to three upon appeal.
The court has summoned the investigation into the three youths, arrested on June 19, as potential perpetrators of the alleged insults and into the events affecting the Real Madrid player on June 27, with the player reported as a victim of racist remarks.
After the presiding judge assumed control of the case following the police report, a decision was made to inform the Madrid court so that the Brazilian player could participate in testimony via videoconference if needed. This step underscores the efforts to ensure the player can present his account while the investigation progresses and the judicial process continues to unfold.