March 30, (THEWILL)- Sevilla has strongly condemned racist and xenophobic insults hurled at defender Marcos Acuna and the club’s coaching staff during their 1-0 win at Getafe, on Saturday. The referee’s report noted fans repeatedly yelled “Acuna monkey” and “Acuna, you come from monkeys” at the Argentine player, prompting a brief stoppage in play.
Taking to social media, Sevilla stated: “We condemn the racist and xenophobic abuse suffered by Marcos Acuna and our coaching staff during Getafe v Sevilla.” Coach Quique Sanchez Flores revealed he was called a ‘gypsy’ by some home supporters, though he expressed pride in his heritage and denounced using it as a slur.
“I am proud of every pore in my veins that can breathe gypsy,” said Flores. “It is one thing to be a gypsy or partly, and another to use it as a racist insult – I find it abhorrent.” The coach noted other Getafe fans opposed those hurling abuse.
The incident comes days after Spain’s friendly against Brazil aimed at combating racism, following repeated insults aimed at Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. Sevilla’s hard-fought victory lifts them provisionally to 14th in La Liga, six points clear of the relegation zone.
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