established enforcement processes
In recent events, a call has grown for stronger enforcement powers to act quickly and effectively against violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance in sports. The governing bodies have faced pressure to translate public concern into tangible actions. After incidents at Mestalla and the broader debate about racist conduct, LaLiga spoke about its long-standing efforts to detect and report these behaviors, while also acknowledging frustrations over the speed and outcomes of complaints.
Multiple sanction proceedings regarding xenophobic harassment connected to the Brazilian player have stretched through the courts. Some cases endure without clear identification of those responsible, leaving punishments that feel partial or delayed. This week four individuals were arrested in connection with the harassment, including a disturbing image involving a Vinícius doll displayed near a major derby. These developments underscore the challenge of enforcing penalties consistently across jurisdictions.
Overall, the organization announced that it will push for stronger legal alignment with national standards. In the coming days, a formal request would be made to apply Law 19/2007 and the Sports Law 39/2022 to combat violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport. The aim is to empower actions such as suspending venues or memberships and imposing financial sanctions. Decisions in these areas are being published on the appropriate state-level portals that catalog such measures.
Police arrest ultras who ‘hanged’ Vinicius’ doll from a bridge in Madrid
Luis Rendueles
Hate Prosecutors fail to act
LaLiga stated it had shared notices with the RFEF Competition Committee that urged action against statements or chants promoting violence or hateful content at matches. When hate crimes are identified, the league reports these incidents to prosecutors. Yet questions remain about the pace and uniformity of responses across regions, and some critics say complaints do not always reach the courtroom. Esteban Ibarra, leader of a movement against intolerance, voiced concern about the process and called for clearer standards.
Expert observers note that inconsistent criteria for hate crimes across jurisdictions can hinder timely prosecutions. This discrepancy fuels perceptions of uneven enforcement and raises pressure for national coordination to ensure that cases are taken seriously and pursued to resolution.
Police investigation of the accused
There is a recurring concern about gaps in detection and identification. Critics point out that some complaints in high-profile cases are archived because the perpetrators are not identified, or because videos exist but do not clearly show who is responsible. Without identifiable suspects, prosecutors may struggle to file criminal charges, even when evidentiary material exists. The lack of police intervention or venue security can compound these challenges, delaying or botching potential cases.
In a public briefing, LaLiga outlined some arguments used in its broader strategy. It noted that social media analysis suggested the accused did not display intent to incite racism; some gestures were interpreted as misjudged or provocative rather than explicit threats. The statement also acknowledged difficulties in identifying perpetrators or establishing a direct public offense. These nuances are part of the ongoing legal discourse around sports-related hate incidents.
LaLiga has chosen to escalate its strategy by seeking judicial avenues. The organization contends that granting higher sanctioning capacity would provide a stronger tool in the fight against racism in sport. It highlighted cases where it has acted as an active party in proceedings, and emphasized the potential for more consistent enforcement across competitions and regions. The overarching goal is to reinforce accountability and deter future offenses by expanding the scope of permissible sanctions and improving the speed of responses.