Espanyol Player Faces Racist Abuse: Fan Jailed, Banned from Stadiums in Landmark Spanish Court Ruling

The incident occurred on October 5, 2023, at the Cartagonova municipal stadium, during a match between FC Cartagena and RCD Espanyol in La Liga. Prosecuted for an offense "against moral integrity" and "with the aggravating circumstance of discrimination on racist grounds," the supporter was sentenced to eight months in prison, as well as "a special ban on exercising the right to passive suffrage for the duration of the sentence" and "a ban on access to football stadiums" for a period of two years.

"It is agreed to suspend the imposed prison sentence for a period of two years, provided that he does not commit any offense during this period and that he respects the ban on access to football stadiums, as well as the requirement of public apologies before such a concession, and the completion of a course on equality and non-discrimination," LaLiga specifies in a statement.

And adds: "This decision is a new milestone in the fight against racism in football and adds to the one already announced this Wednesday, reinforcing LaLiga’s firm and consistent line of action in defending the values of respect and inclusion. One more step that ratifies LaLiga’s commitment, which continues to work with determination to eradicate all forms of violence or discrimination in sport."