Case has been referred to Spanish prosecutors specialising in hate crimes
Spanish police have arrested a supporter accused of directing racist abuse at Kylian Mbappe during Real Madrid’s win away to Real Oviedo last month.
The incident took place on 24 August at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo, where Mbappe scored twice in Madrid’s 3-0 victory over the newly promoted club. It was reported by La Liga immediately after the match.
Spanish police confirmed on Wednesday that a fan was identified making monkey noises and gestures towards the forward after his first goal in the 37th minute. Footage from the broadcast was reviewed before authorities moved to detain the suspect. The case has now been referred to prosecutors specialising in hate crimes.
Under Spanish law, such offences can lead to prison terms of up to three years, alongside fines ranging from €60,000 to €650,000 and stadium bans.
The league has been pushing for tougher measures against racism in recent times. At least two separate high-profile incidents have been punished, including racist abuse of both Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior and Athletic Club captain Inaki Williams.
Four Valencia fans received suspended prison sentences from a Madrid court after being found guilty of hate crimes and threats targeting Vinicius, and a Barcelona court handed down a one-year prison sentence to a man who racially abused Williams during a league match at Espanyol’s Cornella-El Prat stadium in 2020.
