Spanish soccer fan given 1-year jail sentence for racially abusing Carlos Akapo

A soccer fan who racially abused former Cadiz defender Carlos Akapo throughout a league match at Granada three years in the past has been given a one-year jail sentence by a Spanish court docket.

The supporter was caught on digicam making monkey gestures in direction of Akapo — who’s Black — throughout Cádiz’s 0-0 attract February 2022. The offender was additionally handed a 14-month stadium ban.

Akapo, who now performs for Brazilian membership Amazonas, applauded the information on social media. La Liga — which reported the abuse to Spanish authorities on the time — additionally welcomed the long-awaited verdict.

“La Liga has been notified of the sentence in opposition to the fan who directed racist insults to the participant Carlos Akapo in the course of the Granada vs. Cadiz match of February 28, 2022,” it mentioned in an announcement on its X account.

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“This closes one of many oldest instances of racist incidents in opposition to which La Liga is combating to eradicate hatred in soccer.”

The fan will probably serve a suspended sentence. In Spain, defendants with out earlier convictions not often spend time in jail for sentences of lower than two years for a non-physically violent crime.

Akapo was born in Spain however represents Equatorial Guinea — his father’s nation — at worldwide degree. He left Cadiz for Main League Soccer aspect San Jose Earthquakes in August 2022. The 31-year-old joined Amazonas earlier this month.

“Cádiz welcomes this information and can proceed to make sure the security and integrity of its members each on and off the pitch, defending the values of integrity and equality that should prevail in right this moment’s society,” the Spanish membership mentioned in an announcement.