Real Madrid and Spanish league condemn racist insults against Yamal

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid, the Spanish league and the local government on Sunday condemned racist slurs directed at Lamine Yamal during Saturday’s “clasico” and Madrid said it was trying to identify those who mistreated the Barcelona forward.

Madrid said it had launched an investigation “with the aim of identifying and identifying the perpetrators of these deplorable and despicable insults, so that appropriate disciplinary and judicial measures can be taken.”

The league said it would officially condemn the “intolerable racist” insults and gestures directed at Barcelona players at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

The league stated that it “strongly condemns these incidents” and “remains committed to eliminating all forms of racist behavior and hatred inside and outside stadiums.” “This scourge has no place in sports.”

The Spanish government said the commission responsible for tackling violence, racism and other hate crimes in sport will meet on Monday to analyze what happened at the Bernabeu.

“The ‘Clasico’ is one of the greatest spectacles in the world and a true expression of the importance that football has in our country,” the government said. he said. “Expressions of violence, racism, xenophobia, hatred or intolerance may never take place during this game or any sporting event.”

The reaction came after videos on social media showed alleged insults towards Yamal, who scored Barcelona’s third goal in the second half of their 4-0 defeat against Madrid. The 17-year-old celebrated in a corner in front of Madrid fans and made some gestures that appeared to provoke the fans.

Several fans were heard insulting Yamal and other Barcelona players.

“Real Madrid strongly condemns any act of racism, xenophobia or violence in football and sport and deeply regrets the insults uttered by several fans in a corner of the stadium last night,” the club said in a statement.

Madrid has condemned racist slurs directed at its striker Vinícius Júnior, who is also black, for several years, including during a match at Barcelona’s Camp Nou Stadium.

Four Atletico Madrid fans were detained earlier this month for allegedly running a social media campaign aimed at encouraging racist acts against Vinicius.

Barcelona’s victory took the Catalan club to the top of the league table, six points ahead of Madrid, after 11 matches.

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