Mallorca said Sunday they were working with authorities to identify the fan who made monkey gestures in response to Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni’s goal against them in their LaLiga meeting this weekend.
The young fan was seen on television appearing to make the monkey gestures as Madrid players celebrated Tchouaméni’s goal early in the second half at Son Moix Stadium on Saturday. The fan then threw a plastic water bottle onto the field and Madrid players quickly showed it to the referee.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
LaLiga is also expected to formally denounce the alleged racial abuse.
Mallorca said in a statement they “will not tolerate any manifestation of racism” and noted that the club “actively participates in all campaigns to eradicate this scourge that goes beyond sport.” They added that they didn’t want the “isolated case” to tarnish the image of Mallorca fans.
It isn’t the first time Madrid players complained about being subjected to racist abuse in a match at Mallorca.
Vinícius Júnior said he was called a monkey during a league match there last year with the fan in question then accused of a hate crime. Both Vinicius and the fan appeared before a judge during the probe and Mallorca banned the fan for three years.
Mallorca, partially owned by NBA greats Steve Nash and Steve Kerr, made headlines recently after reaching the Copa del Rey final, which they lost to Athletic Bilbao earlier this month.
There have been several cases of racial abuse against Vinícius since his arrival in Spain six years ago. An incident in a league match last season prompted an outpouring of support for the Brazil international and a series of actions by local officials to boost the fight against racism.
But there was another recent wave of cases of abuse against him, just before Spain hosted the “One Skin” friendly against Brazil at Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium to highlight the fight against racism.
No one has stood trial in Spain in a case of racial abuse in professional football.
Madrid won Saturday’s match 1-0 thanks to Tchouaméni’s second half goal. They lead the league by eight points over defending champions Barcelona.
Mallorca are 15th in the table, six points above the relegation zone.
