Sevilla Condemns Racist Abuse Directed at Marcos Acuna and Coaching Staff

Sevilla Football Club issued a resounding condemnation against the abhorrent incidents of racism and xenophobia targeting their Argentine defender Marcos Acuna and coaching staff during their recent LaLiga fixture against Getafe. The club expressed profound dismay and outrage over the reprehensible behavior exhibited by certain fans during the match, emphasizing the urgent need to address such egregious acts of discrimination in football.

Referee Iglesias Villanueva intervened during the 68th minute of the encounter, adhering to LaLiga’s strict protocol against racism, by halting the match in response to the disturbing chants and insults directed at Acuna and Sevilla’s coaching personnel.

In an official statement published on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Sevilla unequivocally condemned the racist and xenophobic slurs hurled at Acuna and their coaching staff. The club reiterated its staunch commitment to combating racism and discrimination in football, advocating for a sport that embraces diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect among all participants.

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LaLiga, in alignment with Sevilla’s stance, echoed their condemnation of any form of racist or hateful behavior within the realm of sport. The league reaffirmed its dedication to eradicating such reprehensible conduct from football and emphasized its ongoing efforts to foster a culture of inclusivity and tolerance.

Sevilla’s head coach, Quique Sanchez Flores, also addressed the distressing ordeal, revealing that he himself had been subjected to xenophobic insults during the match, with fans derogatorily referring to him as a “gypsy.” While Sanchez expressed pride in his heritage, he strongly condemned the use of ethnic slurs as a means of denigration and emphasized the need for decisive action against racist chanting.

Sanchez emphasized the importance of implementing stringent measures to address racism in football, stressing the detrimental impact of such incidents on players and coaches alike. He called for unified efforts to combat racism and xenophobia, advocating for swift and severe repercussions for those responsible for perpetuating discriminatory behavior.

Getafe’s head coach, Jose Bordalas, acknowledged the necessity of activating the protocol in response to the racist chants directed at Acuna and concurred with the imperative need for stringent measures to combat racism in football. He expressed support for the decision to halt the match and underscored the gravity of the situation, calling for concerted action to eradicate racist behavior from football stadiums.

While Reuters sought comment from Getafe regarding the incident, the club has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the matter.

Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr., a vocal advocate against racism, expressed solidarity with those affected by the recent incidents of discrimination. Despite being suspended for Real Madrid’s upcoming fixture, Vinicius Jr. used his platform to condemn the despicable acts of racism witnessed during the weekend’s matches in Spain. He called for stringent measures against racists, asserting that justice must be served to ensure that football stadiums remain inclusive and free from discrimination.

Last season, there were 10 reported instances of racist abuse against Vinicius Jr., underscoring the persistent issue of racism in football and the urgent need for concerted action to combat such reprehensible behavior.