Barcelona’s recent fixtures have not only been defined by their performances on the pitch but also by growing concerns surrounding fan behaviour in Spanish football.
The La Liga authorities have been working closely with the government’s anti-violence commission to identify and sanction offenders responsible for racist and discriminatory acts during matches.
Following a series of incidents across stadiums in Spain, the league has reiterated its commitment to supporting players and creating a zero-tolerance policy against abuse of any kind.
Barcelona themselves have backed these measures, particularly as the club continues to host and develop players from diverse backgrounds, both in the senior side and through La Masia.
However, the latest incident has drawn widespread attention – and unfortunately, it involves one of the club’s most high-profile players.
According to ESPN, a Real Oviedo supporter is facing a proposed fine of €4,000 after allegedly directing racist abuse towards Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford during their 3–1 league victory on 25 September.
Spain’s government anti-violence commission confirmed in a statement that the abuse was captured during the match and that the league had acted swiftly once the evidence surfaced online.
“La Liga detected the images on social media and filed a complaint with the National Police,” the statement read.
“Subsequently, analysis of footage from the stadium’s Organizational Control Unit (UCO) cameras allowed for the identification of the alleged perpetrator.
“The processing of this proposal will be contingent upon the final decisions made in the criminal proceedings.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed when a final decision will be issued, but the case has already sparked renewed calls for stricter sanctions against racist offenders in football.
Marcus Rashford, who joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United this season, has unfortunately faced similar abuse in the past.
In 2021, a man in England was sentenced to prison after racially abusing the England forward on social media following his missed penalty in the Euro 2020 final.
The 27-year-old continues to be widely praised for his professionalism and composure, with Barcelona now offering full support as authorities pursue the case.
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