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Racist insults apparently occurred during the game between Getafe FC and Sevilla FC

Photo: Oscar J. Barroso / ZUMA Wire / IMAGO

According to reports, racist insults have once again occurred in several games in Spanish football. The most dramatic was an incident in the fourth division game between Sestao River Club and CF Rayo Majadahonda. According to Spanish media, visiting keeper Cheikh Sarr was repeatedly racially insulted by Sestao fans standing directly behind the goal. The Senegalese goalkeeper stormed into the stands and grabbed one of the spectators by the scarf, as seen in videos.

The stewards and teammates dragged Sarr from the stands; he was shown a red card for his action. The team from Majadahonda then left the pitch in protest. The game was abandoned on Saturday with the score 2-1 for the hosts in the 87th minute.

Majadahonda declared on Sunday his "deepest rejection and condemnation of racist acts." The team decided not to continue playing because this was in line with “our firm stance that we do not tolerate discrimination and racism of any kind.”

At the same time, the club criticized Sarr's red card and accused the referee of a lack of sensitivity. Sestao said the club condemns all forms of racism and, if the insults are proven, wants to work with the sports justice system to find those responsible and clear up the case.

Getafe FC's first division game against Sevilla FC also had to be interrupted on Saturday after Argentinian Marcos Acuña from Sevilla FC fell victim to racist chants. Sevilla coach Quique Sánchez Flores reported after his team's 1-0 win that he had been insulted and insulted.

Real star Vinicius Júnior is committed to helping those affected

The Brazilian Vinicius Júnior from Real Madrid, who has been the victim of racist insults for years, meanwhile called for prison sentences for the perpetrators after such incidents. “We will only have won when the racists go straight from the stadiums to prison,” the 23-year-old wrote on Platform X.

Vinicius Jr. burst into tears at a press conference on Monday. "I've been seeing it (racism, editor's note) for a long time and every time I get sadder and feel less like playing," he said.

But the 23-year-old doesn't want to move to another club. "I would give the racists what they want." At the "best club in the world" he wanted to "score as many goals as possible," said Vinicius Jr. He was recently insulted before the Champions League round of 16 between Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan - even though he wasn't there. "That's a sad reality," said the winger.

ast/dpa