Football
La Liga And Real Madrid Investigate Racist Abuse Of Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal
James is an experienced writer covering a wide range of sports. He has previously written for national UK titles and now provides detailed features and breaking news stories.
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La Liga and Real Madrid have both opened investigations after Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal was subjected to racist abuse by fans during Saturday’s El Clasico.
Clips have been circulating on social media showing some home fans appearing to racially abuse the 17-year-old scoring in the 4-0 win at the Bernabeu.
Yamal’s 77th-minute goal followed a Robert Lewandowski brace before Raphinha sealed the win six minutes from time. The win takes Barcelona six points clear of Real at the top of La Liga.
But sadly, the result isn’t all the game will be remembered for. After the racist abuse allegations arose, La Liga released a statement.
It read: “La Liga will immediately report the racist insults and gestures received by Barcelona players to the Hate Crimes Section of the National Police Information Brigade, as well as informing the Co-ordinating Prosecutor of the Hate Crimes and Discrimination unit of the State Attorney General’s office.
“La Liga vehemently condemns the incidents at the Santiago Bernabeu and remains firm in its commitment to eradicate any kind of racist behaviour and hatred inside and outside stadiums.”
🚨🚨| BREAKING: Lamine Yamal was subjected to racial abuse from the stands when he scored last night.
[@sport] pic.twitter.com/5sQofYWB1A— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) October 27, 2024
Real Madrid Also Looking Into Lamine Yamal Racist Abuse Reports
Hosts Real Madrid have also opened an investigation with the aim of identifying any home fans involved in the racist taunting of Yamal.
Madrid’s statement read:Â “Real Madrid strongly condemns any kind of behaviour involving 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.
“Real Madrid has opened an investigation in order to locate and identify the perpetrators of these deplorable and despicable insults so that the appropriate disciplinary and judicial measures can be taken.”
Both La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RTEF) have tried to crack down on racism at football grounds recently.
Measures such as partial stadium closures have been introduced, and last week four people were arrested following allegations of online racist abuse towards Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian winger was targeted by supporters encouraging others to racially abuse him, with people told to wear black masks to evade identification.
In June, three Valencia fans were given eight months in prison after abusing Vinicius in May 2023.