Spanish league player suspended for confronting racist abuser

Rayo Majadahonda's Senegalese goalkeeper Cheikh Kane Sarr has been suspended for two games after confronting a rival fan who he claimed was racially abusing him during a Spanish third-division game, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on Wednesday.

In addition, his team were declared to have lost 3-0 to Sestao River last Saturday, deducted three points from the league table, and fined 3006 euros for refusing to continue the game after the incident.

The RFEF's Competition Committee also ordered Sestao River to play two home games behind closed doors and fined them €6,001 for "failing to act diligently or cooperate in the repression of violent, racist, xenophobic, or intolerant behaviour."

The dual punishments will exacerbate the ongoing debate about racism in Spanish football, and come on the same day that Getafe were ordered to partially close their central stand for three matches following racist and xenophobic abuse directed at Sevilla manager Quique Sanchez Flores and player Marcos Acuna during Saturday's LaLiga game.

Sarr was sent off in the 84th minute of his match after jumping into the stands to confront fans who he accused of calling him a "monkey".

The 23-year-old was restrained by other players, but his teammates refused to continue the game, so it was abandoned.

The RFEF ruled that Sarr's reaction was "contrary to good sporting order," but that his actions were a minor offence due to "mitigating circumstances," as they were "justified sufficient provocation, motivated by the racist insults received."

The Sestao supporter confronted by Sarr filed assault charges against the keeper, and the Basque club denied any racist insults, according to their Security Officer Rafa Guadix, who spoke to radio station COPE on Tuesday.

Getafe were punished after referee Iglesias Villanueva halted their match against Seville in the 68th minute as part of LaLiga's anti-racism protocol after hearing fans in the stands refer to the Argentine defender as a monkey and the Spanish coach as a gypsy. The club was also fined 27,000 euros ($29,000).

According to the RFEF, the closed area in the stands for the aforementioned matches must display a visible message condemning violent, racist, xenophobic, and intolerant acts in football while also supporting fair play.

Vinicius Jr, a Real Madrid winger from Brazil who has been subjected to racist abuse in Spain, has spoken out in support of those affected.

"Racists must be exposed and matches cannot continue with them in the stands. We will only have victory when the racists leave the stadiums and go straight to jail, the place they deserve," he posted on social media.

LaLiga reported 16 such episodes against the 23-year-old to Spanish prosecutors over the last two seasons.

SportsLigue