Real Madrid and Spanish League condemn racist insults against Yamal in the ‘classic’ of the Spanish League

MADRID – Real Madrid and the Spanish league on Sunday condemned racist insults against Lamine Yamal during Saturday’s “clásico,” and Madrid said it was working to identify those who abused the Barcelona forward.

Madrid said it “has opened an investigation in order to locate and identify the authors of these deplorable and despicable insults so that the appropriate disciplinary and judicial measures can be taken.”

La Liga said it was going to formally denounce the “intolerable racist” insults and gestures against Barcelona players at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

The league said it “strongly condemns these events” and “remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating any type of racist and hateful behavior inside and outside of stadiums.” There is no place for this scourge in sport.”

The reaction came after videos on social media showed alleged insults against Yamal after he scored Barcelona’s third goal in their 4-0 rout of Madrid. The 17-year-old celebrated in a corner in front of the Madrid fans and made some gestures that apparently provoked the fans.

Some fans could be heard shouting insults at Yamal and the other Barcelona players.

“Real Madrid strongly condemns any type of behavior that involves racism, xenophobia or violence in football and sport, and deeply regrets the insults that a few fans uttered last night in one of the corners of the stadium,” the club said in a statement. .

Madrid has been denouncing racist insults against its striker Vinícius Júnior, also black, for several years, even when he played a match at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.

Four Atlético Madrid fans who allegedly led a social media campaign aimed at promoting racist acts against Vinícius were arrested earlier this month.

Barcelona’s victory left the Catalan club six points ahead of Madrid at the top of the league standings after 11 games.