La Liga
LaLiga spells out measures to curb racism and violence in Spanish primera division
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Against the recent racist case involving Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, Spanish league body, LaLiga has published a dossier aimed at curbing violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance in sport.
On May 21, 2023, the Brazilian who plies his trade with the capital club filed a legal complaint with the Courts of Instruction of Valencia for racist insult aimed at him at Mestalla during the LaLiga game between Valencia and Real Madrid.
Since the incident, local authorities have since arrested at least three alleged perpetrators in relation to the case.
In the dossier, LaLiga condemned racism in the Spanish topflight and set up an email address and telegram channel to speed up the identification of any person or group of people who engage in racist behavior inside or outside the stadium.
Other actions taken by LaLiga and clubs to combat racism include; player handbook, collaboration with Aficiones Unidas, projects in collaboration with clubs, LaLiga institutional collaboration, and the United Against Racism campaign.
The United Against Racism campaign will be implemented through social media, logos on television broadcasts, advertising boards, Toblerone signs alongside pre-match starting eleven, armbands, and fliers to be handed out by clubs at stadiums across LaLiga.
Several players in the Spanish Santander have reported cases of racism including Nigeria winger, Samuel Chukwueze.
On February 18, 2023, LaLiga filed a report after identifying the perpetrators of racist insults against Chukwueze and Vinicius Jr.
At the request of LaLiga, the court has deferred to the Court of Instruction No. 3 of Mallorca, which is investigating the facts relating to Vinicius Jr.
The likes of Carlos Akapo, Nico Williams, and Inaki Williams have also suffered racist abuses and reported to the league.
