LaLiga and Real Madrid reacted strongly on Sunday after racist abuse was allegedly directed at Barcelona players during Saturday’s match at the Santiago Bernabeu.

LALIGA and Real Madrid have responded strongly to alleged abuse of FC Barcelona players following their 4-0 El Classico defeat at the Santiago Bernabeau on Saturday.

Spanish media reported that Lamine Yamal, of Equatorial Guinean and Moroccan heritage, was subjected to xenophobic and racist abuse. Yamal was one of the scorers in Los Blancos’ haul.

“LaLiga will immediately report the racist insults and gestures received by Barcelona players to the Hate Crimes Section of the National Police Intelligence Brigade, as well as the coordinating prosecutor of the Hate Crimes and Discrimination Unit of the State Attorney General’s Office,” it said. LaLiga. in a statement.

“LaLiga vehemently condemns the incidents at the Santiago Bernabeu and remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicate any kind of racist behavior and hatred inside and outside the stadiums.”

Real Madrid is committed to condemning racism

Lamine Yamal called the game then hit “calm” at the Bernabéu ???? pic.twitter.com/25ZRu12wPJ

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 26, 2024

Real Madrid said it has opened an investigation to identify the perpetrators so that appropriate action can be taken.

“Real Madrid strongly condemns any kind of behavior involving racism, xenophobia or violence in football and sport and deeply regrets the insults that some fans uttered last night in one of the corners of the stadium,” a club statement read. .

Barcelona did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Read also: This is why Real Madrid were beaten 4-0 in El Classico, explains Carlo Ancelotti

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga have taken steps to tackle the rise in racist abuse with measures including partial stadium closures.

Four people were arrested and questioned in Spain on Thursday on suspicion of running an online hate campaign encouraging fans to racially abuse Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr in the build-up to last month’s match with Atletico Madrid .

In June, the Magistrate’s Court of Valencia handed down the first conviction for racist insults at a football stadium in Spain.

(With inputs from Reuters)