At the end of a match between 10-year-old children on Saturday near Granada, Spain, the mother of a player from the visiting team entered the field to slap the referee. An attack condemned by both clubs.
Another act of violence on a football field. The scene took place on Saturday morning near Granada, in the south of Spain, at the end of a match between children aged 10 and 11. After the final whistle and the victory of the local CF Alhendín Balompié against RDC Espanyol Albolote (4-2), the mother of a player from the visiting team entered the lawn of the municipal stadium.
As the kids shook hands, she walked up to the referee and slapped him. The official violently pushed her away before walking away. The mother came back in his direction to insult him. This attack, filmed by a spectator present in the stands and relayed by the Spanish media, has since provoked numerous reactions.
“Behavior that tarnishes what should be a celebration of effort, talent and unity”
The two clubs published a press release to express their indignation. The DRC Espanyol Albolote, where the child whose mother slapped the referee plays, “strongly condemned any act of violence on football fields, in particular those directed against the referees and other agents involved.” “In recent times, we have witnessed regrettable situations that go against the values that football should promote: respect, sportsmanship and coexistence. (…) We cannot tolerate that these behaviors tarnish what should be a celebration of effort, talent and unity.” For his part, Alhendín “firmly rejected any form of violence in football, on and off the field.”
