Three Valencia fans get jail term | AP
Three Valencia football club fans were sentenced to eight months in prison on Monday for hate crimes against Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr. | AP
It is the first conviction for racist insults in a football stadium in Spain. | AP
"The ruling handed down today, which is final, establishes as proven that the three defendants insulted Vinicius with shouts, gestures and chants referring to the colour of his skin..." | AP
"These shouts and gestures of a racist nature, consisting among other things in the repetition of the sounds and imitating the movements of monkeys, caused the footballer feelings of frustration, shame and humiliation, with the consequent undermining of his intrinsic dignity." | AP
The three fans, who pleaded guilty to the charges, were also banned from entering football stadiums for two years and ordered to pay the costs of the proceedings. | AP
The events happened at Valencia's Mestalla stadium in May last year, when racist slurs were hurled at Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr during a league match. | Twitter
Real Madrid said the defendants had shown repentance and, in their letter, had "asked fans that all traces of racism and intolerance should be banished from sporting competitions." | AP
In March, Vinicius broke down in tears at a press conference and said he was struggling to stay motivated and enjoy playing football due to the recurring abuse, urging Spanish authorities to take action. | Reuters