A documentary that sparked controversy at Mestalla
It all started on May 21, 2023, during the meeting between the Valencia CF and the the real MadridWhen Vinicius Junior He denounced the racist insults coming from the Mestalla stands. Three supporters were identified, expelled from the stadium and then tried for hate crimes. However, the conflict intensified with the release of the documentary Vini, dance, Viniin which the chant “stupid, stupid” was captioned “monkey, monkey”.
This alteration of the original content led the Valencian club to take legal action for attack on honor and lies against Netflix and the Brazilian producer Conspiracy films. The lawsuit was filed on September 29 in the Valencia courts.
From TAD to civil procedure: the legal journey of Valencia
The club’s offensive was not only media-driven. As the general manager explains Javier Solis During the General Assembly, Valencia exhausted all possibilities in the sporting and administrative field. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAD) rejected the precautionary measures requested by the club for the partial closure of Mestalla. Subsequently, administrative procedures were also initiated, without favorable results.
Faced with the lack of success during sporting events, the club decided to take civil action by taking legal action for violation of the right to honor. This strategy appears to have had a significant impact, as the defendants have now demonstrated a clear intention to negotiate.
Extrajudicial agreement in progress
In a relevant twist, Solís confirmed that Netflix and Conpiração Filmes have initiated contacts to resolve the conflict outside the courts. This initiative suggests that the legal teams of the platform and the production company consider that an unfavorable resolution is possible if the case moves forward.
“The Club defended its supporters,” said Solís, who also predicted that “good news” could soon arrive on the outcome of the process. Valencia’s objective remains the restoration of the image of the club and its supporters, affected by what they consider to be a serious manipulation of the facts.
Legal and reputational context
Article 18 of the Spanish Constitution protects everyone’s right to honor, privacy and image. In this context, misrepresentation of audience chants in a global documentary can cause significant reputational damage.
The lawsuit therefore aims not only to obtain reparation, but also to obtain financial compensation for the damages. The decision to negotiate, taken by Netflix and the production company, could aim to avoid further damage to the image or a legal conviction.
The case has also become an example of the legal reach of audiovisual content on international platforms. In Spain, jurisprudence on the right to honor in digital media has evolved steadily in recent years, particularly in the face of lies or manipulation that affect people or entities.
The role of fans and public opinion
Since the incident, the Valencia CF maintained a firm stance in defending its supporters, saying the racist insults were isolated cases and immediately condemned. However, the documentary projected a different image, which caused outrage among the club’s social masses.
The possible amicable settlement could include a public rectification, an edition of the content concerned or even compensation from the club. For the moment, the specific conditions being negotiated have not been revealed.
A precedent for future productions
This affair could mark a before and after in the production of sports documentaries. The use of real images and their interpretation by subtitles or dubbing involves great responsibility, especially when sensitive subjects such as racism in sport are discussed.
The resolution of this dispute – whether judicial or contractual – will serve as a warning to other production companies and platforms about the importance of verifying and properly contextualizing the facts before disseminating content that could affect the reputation of third parties.
The result, as the club itself announced, will be known “soon”. Meanwhile, Valencia CF remains firm in its intention to defend its image and that of its supporters until the final consequences.
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