Sevilla fan on trial for racist ‘monkey’ slur at Vinícius in 2023

A Sevilla supporter faces trial after being accused of racist insults towards Vinícius Júnior during a match at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in 2023, according to Mundo Deportivo. Prosecutors are asking for a 19-month prison sentence for a crime against moral integrity.

The charges, as described in the case file, were expected to be heard last April but the trial did not take place then. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred between the 83rd and 86th minutes of the game, with the defendant seated in Gol Norte, close to the pitch. Prosecutors claim he repeatedly directed slurs at the Brazilian forward, accompanied by gestures and chants expressing contempt based on the color of his skin.

Gestures and the slur

The complaint details that the fan allegedly mimicked primate gestures and shouted “monkey” (“mono”) on multiple occasions, along with sounds like “uh, uh, uh, uh,” meant to imitate the animal’s cry. According to the Fiscalía, those actions caused frustration, shame and humiliation, harming the player’s dignity.

LaLiga and Sevilla’s reaction

Mundo Deportivo adds that LaLiga—joined to the case—had previously submitted its report to the RFEF’s Competition Committee and the Anti-Violence Commission. Sevilla also responded at the time: it identified the supporter, removed him from the stadium, and applied its internal rules, with the insults and gestures captured by TV cameras.

This Tuesday’s hearing will focus on whether the facts attributed to the fan are proven and on the final sentence the court hands down.