Sevilla has reported instances of “racist and xenophobic abuse” directed towards left-back Marcos Acuna and the club’s coaching staff during their La Liga victory against Getafe on Saturday.
Referee Javier Iglesias Villanueva halted the match in the 68th minute due to racist insults from certain spectators in the crowd.
This incident was addressed through the stadium’s public address system as reported in the official match report.
The game was paused for two and a half minutes, during which no further incidents occurred.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, Sevilla said: “We condemn the racist and xenophobic abuse suffered by Marcos Acuna and our coaching staff.”
La Liga said: “There’s no place for racist or hateful behaviour in sport. La Liga vehemently condemns any racist acts and will continue working to eradicate this inexcusable behaviour from our sport.”
Speaking after the match, Sevilla manager Quique Sanchez Flores said he had been called a “Gypsy” by some Getafe fans.
He expressed pride in his heritage but condemned the fact that it was being used as a form of abuse.
While Villanueva’s match report did not detail the abuse directed at Sanchez Flores, it did note that Argentine international Acuna was subjected to derogatory language, being referred to as a “monkey” by fans seated behind one of his assistant referees.
Sergio Ramos secured the sole goal of the match in a crucial 1-0 victory, propelling Sevilla six points clear of La Liga’s relegation zone.
Earlier this month, Brazilian and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. expressed feeling increasingly reluctant to play football due to recurring incidents of racism he has encountered. Last season, La Liga reported ten such instances of abuse against the 23-year-old to prosecutors.
In a supportive gesture toward Vinicius, Spain and Brazil played to a 3-3 draw in a friendly match on Tuesday as part of an anti-racism campaign.