April 4 – Spanish top-flight club Getafe have been ordered to partially close their central stand for three matches by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following the racial and xenophobic abuse suffered by Sevilla manager Quique Sánchez Flores and player Marcus Acuna (pictured) in Saturday’s league game.
Referee Iglesias Villanueva stopped the match in the 68th minute as part of La Liga’s protocol against racism after he heard fans in the stands calling the Argentinian defender a “monkey” and the Spanish coach a “gypsy”. The club have also been fined €27,000.
The RFEF said in a statement that the closed area in the stands must display a visible message condemning violent, racist, xenophobic and intolerant acts in football and support fair play.
Real Madrid’s Brazil winger Vinícius Júnior, who has suffered several incidents of racist abuse, spoke out in support of those affected.
“Racists must be exposed and matches cannot continue with them in the stands,” he posted on social media.
“We will only have victory when the racists leave the stadiums and go straight to jail, the place they deserve.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714378948labto1714378948ofdlr1714378948owedi1714378948sni@w1714378948ahsra1714378948w.wer1714378948dna1714378948