Two incidents of racism tainted Spanish football once again on Saturday, March 30th. Ironically, these events occurred just days after a friendly match “for tolerance” between Spain and Brazil, organized on Tuesday in Madrid in response to the racist insults suffered by Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid since his arrival in 2018. During a third division match, Rayo Majadahonda’s Senegalese goalkeeper Cheikh Kane Sarr was expelled in the 84th minute of the match against Sestao River following an altercation with a supporter behind his goal, leading his team to leave the field and the referees to stop the match. According to the Spanish press, several Sestao River supporters near Bilbao insulted 23-year-old Cheikh Sarr after their team scored a second goal at the end of the game. The Rayo Majadahonda team expressed their displeasure at the racist insults directed at Cheikh Sarr due to the color of his skin, with the captain Jorge Casado denouncing the shameful behavior and calling for an end to racism.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) stated that one of its bodies would decide on the actions to be taken in response to the incident. The match was suspended after an incident between supporters and Cheikh Sarr, who reported being subjected to racist insults that the referees were unable to hear due to their position on the field. The match referee suspended the game when the visiting team players decided to leave the field due to the events, without the protocol against racism being able to be implemented. Earlier in the day, Sevilla FC, who play in the top Spanish division, had already condemned the racist and xenophobic insults directed at Argentine player Marcos Acuna and coach Quique Sanchez Flores during their match against Getafe. The referee reported that Getafe supporters had shouted racist insults towards Acuna, leading to a brief interruption of the match.
These incidents sparked a reaction from Brazilian player Vinicius Junior, who himself has often been a victim of racism on Spanish football pitches. He condemned the three cases of racism in Spain on that Saturday and called for the denouncement of racist individuals and for matches to not continue with them in the stands. Vinicius Junior expressed his support for Cheikh Sarr and Rayo Majadahonda, stating that racists must be reported and removed from stadiums. He emphasized that victory will only be achieved when racists are sent to prison, where they belong. An episode of racism against a Madrid player in Valencia in 2023 had previously caused international outrage and led to acknowledgment of the existence of a racial discrimination problem in the country. This renewed focus on racism in Spanish football has prompted calls for action to address and combat these issues effectively.
The incidents also highlight the ongoing challenges faced in tackling racism within the sport and the importance of continued efforts to educate and raise awareness around these issues. Additionally, they underscore the need for increased accountability and consequences for individuals engaging in racist behavior at football matches. The reactions from players like Vinicius Junior, as well as the condemnations from clubs and governing bodies, demonstrate a growing determination to address and combat racism in football. The incidents serve as a reminder that despite progress made in this area, there is still much work to be done to ensure that football remains an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of their race or background. By addressing these incidents head on and taking decisive action, the football community can work towards creating a more equitable and respectful environment for all involved.
