Game canceled in Spain
Goalkeeper is insulted, defends himself, receives red card
March 31, 2024, 6:08 p.m
Racism again, game interruptions again and even a cancellation: Spanish football is suffering badly from supporters without decency. In the fourth league there is a particularly blatant case against a goalkeeper who defends himself against the sayings – and receives red.
According to reports, racist insults have once again occurred in several games in Spanish football. The most dramatic incident occurred in the fourth division game between Sestao River Klub 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 black goalkeeper from Senegal stormed into the stands and grabbed one of the spectators by the scarf, as seen on 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 its “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 also said that the club condemns any form 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.
First league game also disrupted
The Brazilian Vinicius Júnior from Real Madrid, who has repeatedly been the victim of racist insults for years, 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,” wrote the 23-year-old on the X platform.
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 also reported after his team’s 1-0 win that he had been insulted and insulted.