Real Madrid has launched an investigation into reports of racist insults allegedly directed at players during Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in La Liga, the club announced on Sunday.
Spanish media outlets reported that Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old Barcelona forward of Equatorial Guinean and Moroccan descent, was subjected to xenophobic and racist abuse at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Barcelona has not yet responded to requests for comment from Reuters.
In a statement, Real Madrid condemned any form of racism, xenophobia, or violence in football, expressing deep regret over the insults uttered by a small number of fans during the match.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga have implemented measures to address the rise in racist abuse, including the potential for partial stadium closures.
Recently, four individuals were arrested in Spain on suspicion of running an online hate campaign that encouraged fans to racially abuse Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward, Vinícius Júnior, prior to a match against Atlético Madrid last month.
In June, a Valencia magistrate’s court issued the first conviction in Spain for racist insults made during a football match.