Getafe-Sevilla Game Ruined By’ Racist Slurs

Sevilla’s Argentina fullback Marcos Acuna & coaching staff were the target of “racist & xenophobic insults” from fans in the 1-0 La Liga win at Getafe on Saturday, the club informed.

Referee Iglesias Villanueva stopped the match in the 68th minute as part of La Liga’s protocol against racism.

Sergio Ramos scored the game’s only goal in a crucial 1-0 victory to move Sevilla six points clear of La Liga’s relegation zone.

Sevilla said in a statement posted on the social media platform X, also known as Twitter “We condemn the racist & xenophobic insults suffered by’ Marcos Acuna & our coaching staff”.

LaLiga added in a statement: “There is no place for racist or hateful behavior in sport. LaLiga boldly condemns any racist act & will continue to work to eradicate this unforgivable behavior from our sport.”

Sevilla coach Quique Sanchez Flores said he had also received xenophobic insults against him as fans called him a “gypsy” in a disrespectful manner. Getafe coach Jose Bordalas said the protocol had to be activated in this case & agreed that serious measures needed to be taken if racist chants were to be eradicated.

“I agree that the protocol was activated. If the referee & in this case, Acuna heard it (abuse), it was good that they stopped the match,” he told a press conference.

Real Madrid’s Brazil winger Vinicius Jr, who has suffered from several incidents of racist abuse and is part of a campaign against racism, spoke out in support of those affected.

He(Vinicius Jr) is suspended for Real’s match at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday after picking up five yellow cards.

“This weekend, I won’t even play. But we had three horrifying cases of racism in Spain this Saturday alone,” he said on social media.

Later on Saturday, Spanish third-division side Rayo Majadahonda walked off the pitch and refused to return to their match at Sestao after goalkeeper Sheikh Sarr was allegedly racially abused.

“Racists must be exposed & matches cannot continue with them in the stands. We will only have victory when the racists leave the stadiums & go straight to jail, the place they deserve.”

Last season there were 10 such episodes against 23-year-old Vinicius Jr reported to prosecutors by LaLiga.