Spanish Prosecutors Demand Jail Time for Fan Over Racist Gestures Targeting Kylian Mbappé
Spanish public prosecutors have formally requested a one-year prison sentence and a substantial fine of €2,880 (approximately $3,400) for a man accused of directing racist monkey gestures at Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé. This incident marks the first publicly documented racist attack against the French forward since his high-profile transfer to the Spanish giants in 2024.
Details of the Racist Incident During Real Madrid Match
According to official prosecution statements, the accused individual engaged in blatantly racist behavior during a Real Madrid match against Real Oviedo in August of last year. Prosecutors state the man was "acting with evident contempt for the player’s skin colour" when he shouted racial slurs and performed "denigrating gestures" specifically aimed at Mbappé after the striker scored a goal.
The offensive actions reportedly included "simulating primate movements and sounds," which were clearly visible and audible to other spectators in the stadium. This case underscores the persistent problem of racial abuse within Spanish football, despite ongoing efforts to combat such behavior.
Persistent Racism in La Liga: Vinícius Junior's Ongoing Ordeal
The incident involving Mbappé occurs against a backdrop of frequent racist abuse targeting players in Spain's top football division. Real Madrid's Brazilian winger, Vinícius Junior, has been a particularly frequent victim since joining the club in 2018. Vinícius is currently involved in another controversy, having accused Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a Champions League match earlier this month, though the Argentine player has denied the allegation.
This is not an isolated case for Vinícius. In January of this year, Albacete fans were reported to have chanted racist songs directed at the Brazilian international. Furthermore, in May 2025, five supporters of Real Valladolid received one-year prison sentences for hurling racist insults at Vinícius during a match in 2022.
In a separate but related case, four members of an Atlético Madrid ultra group were initially given prison sentences for hanging an effigy of Vinícius from a bridge in January 2023. However, their prison terms were subsequently commuted to financial fines.
Broader Implications for Spanish Football
The prosecution's strong stance in the Mbappé case represents a continued judicial effort to address racism in Spanish football stadiums. Legal authorities are increasingly treating such incidents as serious criminal offenses rather than mere breaches of sporting conduct. The requested penalty of imprisonment alongside a significant fine signals a potentially tougher approach to deter future racist behavior among spectators.
Despite these legal measures, racist abuse remains disturbingly common in La Liga, affecting both established stars like Vinícius Junior and new arrivals like Kylian Mbappé. The football community continues to grapple with implementing effective solutions to eradicate discrimination from the sport, with player advocacy and judicial action playing crucial roles in this ongoing struggle.
