The Ethics Committee of RCD Mallorca has punished a fan with a three-year ban from the stadium for allegedly making xenophobic insults towards Vinícius Júnior and Samu Chukwueze of Real Madrid and Villarreal, respectively. The Balearic Club issued a statement expressing its opposition to any xenophobic behavior and committing to actively working to eradicate it.
The ex-member of the Mallorca club will appear before Judge Martina Mora on April 4th as an accused party for allegedly insulting Vinícius during a LaLiga match between the two teams on February 5th at the Son Moix stadium. Vinícius will also testify about the incident via video conference. The individual identified by the National Police as the perpetrator of the xenophobic insults will appear before the judge in person as an accused party for a hate crime.
The same individual has also been reported to LaLiga for racist insults directed towards Samu Chukwueze during a match against Villareal on February 18th at the Son Moix stadium.
RCD Mallorca’s decision to take swift action against the alleged perpetrator of xenophobic behavior reflects the club’s commitment to promoting respect and inclusivity in football. The ban on the fan, combined with legal action against him, sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated. It is also encouraging to see LaLiga taking a firm stance against racism and hate speech in football by reporting the individual to the authorities.
This incident highlights the ongoing need to address xenophobia and racism in football and beyond. Clubs and leagues must continue to work to create safe and welcoming environments for players and fans of all backgrounds while also taking decisive action against those who engage in discriminatory behavior. The legal system also has an important role to play in holding individuals accountable for their actions and deterring others from engaging in hate speech and xenophobia.