VALENCIA’S punishment following the racist abuse of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has been reduced on appeal.
The partial closure of the club’s Mestalla Stadium has been reduced from five to three matches.
And their fine has been cut from 45,000 euros to 27,000 euros (£23,400) after the Spanish Football Federation appeals committee said it had decided to “partially uphold” Valencia’s appeal.
Brazil’s Vinicius, 22, was subjected to racist chants from the crowd.
Spanish police have detained three people in connection with the abuse and Real Madrid, who said it constituted a “hate crime”, have reported it to the Spanish prosecutor’s office.
Valencia were given 10 days to appeal against their fine and partial stadium closure, which they argued was “disproportionate, unjust and unprecedented”.
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“Valencia have collaborated from the first minute with the police and all relevant authorities to clarify the events that occurred,” a statement from the club read following the initial punishment.
