Fan given suspended prison sentence for racially abusing Marcus Rashford

AlavésAthletic ClubAtlético MadridBarcelonaCelta de VigoElcheEspanyolGetafeGironaLevanteMallorcaOsasunaRayo VallecanoReal BetisReal MadridReal OviedoReal SociedadSevillaValenciaVillarrealPodcastsCopa del ReyFan given suspended prison sentence for racially abusing Marcus RashfordRashford was targeted with racist abuse while playing for Barcelona against Oviedo Josep Lago / AFP via Getty Images Share articleA football supporter in Spain has been given a suspended prison sentence after racially abusing Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford during September’s La Liga fixture against Oviedo. The Provincial Court of Oviedo confirmed the individual had been convicted of an offence “against the dignity of persons on racist grounds”. The fan has been given a nine-month suspended prison sentence — as is common in Spain for sentences of less than two years — fined over €900 (£780; $1,050) and banned from football stadiums for three years. The individual has also been banned from working in education, teaching, sports, and leisure-related professions for three years and nine months. La Liga said the sentencing marked the 11th legal ruling related to racist abuse in the Spanish top flight. In June 2024, three people were sentenced to eight months in prison after being found guilty of racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior in May of the previous year, marking the first conviction for racism in a football stadium in Spain. Rashford, 28, joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United in the summer. He started and played the full 90 minutes of September’s 3-1 win over Oviedo at Estadio Municipal Carlos Tartiere, providing an assist. In March 2022, a teenager was sentenced to six weeks in jail for racially abusing Rashford on social media after the 2021 European Championship final. Rashford was targeted with racist abuse online following England’s defeat to Italy, alongside team-mates Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, after the three players missed penalties in the shootout loss. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms