The doll was hung from a bridge before the rivalry match between the two capital city teams in the Spanish cup in January 2023. Next to it was also a banner that read "Madrid hates Real".
Over two years later, the verdict has been handed down against the four men who were prosecuted for hate crimes and threats against the Brazilian Vinícius Júnior.
The prosecutor has stated that the men are so-called ultra-supporters of Atlético Madrid and that they identify themselves politically with the far right.
One of the defendants who on the internet has spread pictures of the incident is sentenced to 15 months of conditional imprisonment for hate crimes and seven months for threats.
The other three men are sentenced to 14 months of conditional imprisonment each.
Vinícius Júnior has been subjected to racism on several occasions during his years in Spain. In May, five Valladolid supporters were sentenced to one year in prison each for hate crimes against the 24-year-old in connection with a La Liga match in 2022. It was the first time that racism in a football stadium in Spain was considered a hate crime.
Last year, three Valencia fans were sentenced for racism directed against the Real Madrid player – however, it was not classified as a hate crime.
