News in 2006
27th February 2006
FARE calls for action over Spanish abuse
Campaigners from the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network have expressed serious concerns that the problem of racism in Spanish football will continue to escalate unless the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) recognise the seriousness of the problem.
The fears come following a succession of problems within Spanish football, the latest being during the Real Zaragoza vs. Barcelona game on Saturday (25th February) where Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o was subjected to mass monkey chanting and had peanuts thrown at him by sections of the Zaragoza supporters.
Eto'o tried to leave the field 14 minutes before the end of the match but was persuaded to play on by his team-mates and manager.
With the Spanish National team due to play African World Cup qualifiers, the Ivory Coast, in a friendly game in Spain on Wednesday the FARE network are calling on the RFEF to signal their serious intention to tackle racism in Spanish Football.
Concern
At a recent UEFA conference on the issue held in Barcelona at the beginning of the month Angel Maria Villar, President of the RFEF, closed the conference by saying the problem should not be given too much attention, "We shouldn't make a mountain out of a molehill," he said in a speech.
Campaigners fear that this attitude is leading to escalating levels of abuse across the country. Kick It Out director and FARE spokesman, Piara Powar said: "The Spanish Football Federation must, as a matter of urgency, set out clear pathways detailing how they will tackle this issue.
"For one of the most accomplished black players in world football - voted African Footballer of the year - to be racially abused in one of the biggest leagues in the world is worrying for the game."
Barcelona and Brazilian forward, Ronaldinho, backed his team mates stand on the issue and called on the game to up it's efforts against racism, "I would have gone with Eto'o after hearing the insults he received throughout the game. This kind of thing cannot continue. We have to try and abolish these things from football pitches."
