Spanish Federation bans Black player for confronting racists and punishes his club for taking a stand
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CF Rayo Majadahonda player Cheikh Sarr || Image credit: Imago

Spanish Federation bans Black player for confronting racists and punishes his club for taking a stand

Faruq Ibrahim 00:31 - 04.04.2024

Rayo Majahonda goalkeeper Cheikh Sarr has been slapped with a ban after confronting his racist abusers in the Primera Federacion clash against Sestao River. His club also received a fine and points deduction.

In a recent match between Sestao River and Rayo Majadahonda in the Spanish lower divisions, tempers flared as racial slurs were hurled at Cheikh Sarr, prompting a series of disciplinary actions from the league. 

Sarr, the CF Rayo Majadahonda player, found himself in hot water after confronting fans who directed racist insults at him. The fallout from the incident has resulted in a two-game suspension for Sarr, a fine for Sestao River, and a significant deduction of points for Rayo Majadahonda.

Racial Slurs Lead to Confrontation

During the match, several fans behind the goal resorted to despicable racial abuse, shouting phrases like "you're a fucking monkey" and "you fucking black shit" at Sarr. 

The situation escalated when the insults followed a goal, prompting Sarr to turn around and confront the perpetrators. His reaction earned him a straight red card from the match referee, which prompted his team to walk out of the pitch and refuse to complete the match. This has led to them forfeiting the game, and suffering points deduction.

Cheikh Kane Sarr (RayoMajadahonda), OCTOBER 14, 2023 - Football / Soccer : Spanish Primera RFEF Group 1 || Image credit: Imago
Cheikh Kane Sarr (RayoMajadahonda), OCTOBER 14, 2023 - Football / Soccer : Spanish Primera RFEF Group 1 || Image credit: Imago

League's Response

The following, according to Cadena Ser, was the competition's resolution:

  • Sanction the Sestao River Club with a fine of 6,001 euros and the dispute behind closed doors of the next two matches to be held at its facilities (articles 75.2.3 and 75.2.5 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code).

  • Impose on Mr. CHEIKH KANE SARR, CF Rayo Majadahonda player, a TWO-GAME suspension sanction, for the minor infraction of conduct contrary to good sporting order, with the corresponding accessory fine (articles 129 and 52 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code) .

  • Calculate the match as lost against CF Rayo Majadahonda due to the score of three goals to zero, also deducting three points in their classification, imposing on the aforementioned club a fine of 3,006 euros (article 80.1.b) and 3 points, in relation with 82, of the RFEF Disciplinary Code.

The league's resolution also gave some insight into their decision,” Sarr should have made it known to the referee at that moment, and he would have activated the Action Protocol on Public Incidents." [If Sarr had warned, the referee would have stopped the game, but he did not do so, not even when the insults] "reached greater severity." 

"It is evident that the player cannot take any unlawful initiative nor, as we have previously indicated, that of taking 'justice into his own hands' by grabbing a spectator by the scarf, at the risk, furthermore, of aggravating the possibilities of incidents lead to others of much greater significance, even putting their own physical integrity at risk.”

The statement continued thusly, "It is literally stated by the Rayo Majadahonda club that the victims of such acts have the right to defend their dignity, but they forget to clarify that such defense of their dignity must be carried out without violating the applicable sports regulations, therefore following the appropriate legal channels and of course, ultimately, respecting the rule of law.”

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against racism in Spanish football and the need for decisive action to address such behaviour.

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