Spanish FA 'failing to deal with the racists'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A leading Spanish referee has attacked the failure of the country's football authorities to deal with racist abuse and pledged his support to any black players who decide to walk off the pitch in protest.
A leading Spanish referee has attacked the failure of the country's football authorities to deal with racist abuse and pledged his support to any black players who decide to walk off the pitch in protest.
"Those people who should be facing up to this problem are not doing so and it is a big problem," the Primera Liga referee, Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez, was quoted as saying in Spanish sports daily Marca yesterday.
"Of course I notice it when I am on the pitch. You hear everything there. And I'll tell you one thing, the day a black player decides to walk off the pitch I'll go with him. No one is doing anything to find solutions to this problem."
Racist abuse from fans has become an increasing problem in Spain, with black players regularly greeted with monkey chants and insults when they touch the ball. The Spanish Football Federation does not take action against the clubs involved unless incidents are mentioned in the referee's match report.
The toughest punishment the Federation has imposed so far has been a fine of 600 euros (£415) on Atletico Madrid and Albacete after visiting black players were abused by home fans. Albacete's fine was halved on appeal.
Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o was abused in his side's league game at Real Zaragoza at the weekend, but the referee Fernando Carmona Mendez noted that the behaviour of the fans was "normal" in his report.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments