On his return to El Molinón stadium in Gijón, Haissem Hassan could expect a hostile reception. After a year on loan and 42 games in the colours of Real Sporting, the 22-year-old Frenchman signed a three-year contract this summer with historic rivals Real Oviedo.
It didn’t fail. During the warm-up and then during the Asturias derby on Saturday 7 September, the former Villarreal player was subjected to volleys of whistles. Nothing reprehensible, until a female supporter of the local club, shortly after the hour mark, shouted racist insults at him.
“Son of a bitch”, “shit monkey”, can be read on the lips of a woman sitting at the edge of the field, spitting her bile vehemently.
“Our club does not tolerate any racist act”
Since then, the controversy has been growing in Spain. Shortly after the final whistle, the red and white club published a statement on its social networks.
“Real Sporting is working to locate the fan who insulted a visiting player today,” assures the management of the Gijon-based team. “Our club does not tolerate any racist act. We are investigating what happened. We applaud the general behavior of our fans.”
And La Liga continued: “There is no place for racism or hatred in sport. La Liga strongly condemns all racist acts and will continue to fight to eradicate these intolerable behaviors from our sport.”
This case adds a new chapter to the book of racism in the stands of Spanish stadiums. The incidents are repeated, despite the state of alert sounded by Vinicius. The Brazilian himself has suffered many insults and has called on the public authorities on the subject. In essence, he is told that “there are always undesirables” but that “Spain is not racist”, that “it is an example of coexistence and integration”.
- RMC Sport
