Spain arrests 3 suspects for racist abuse during El Clasico

By Can Erozden

Spanish police on Saturday arrested three suspects for racist abuse during October's El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"Three arrested for racist insults aimed at two footballers during October's El Clasico," police said on X.

"Those arrested made xenophobic statements that violated the dignity and moral integrity of both players."

On Oct. 26, Barcelona won the El Clasico 4-0 against Real Madrid at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the Spanish top-tier division La Liga.

Polish star Robert Lewandowski scored twice against Real Madrid, and Barcelona pair Lamine Yamal and Raphinha added one each for the visitors.

An investigation was launched after La Liga reported racist insults and gestures against Barcelona players, including Yamal, a 17-year-old Spanish winger born to a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, and 27-year-old Brazilian forward Raphinha.

El Clasico hosts Real Madrid also launched an investigation into a reported racist insult at Yamal to locate and identify the suspects.

A pure Barcelona product, Yamal helped Spain win the EURO 2024 title in July.

Raphinha joined the Spanish giants from English club Leeds United in 2022, which was a big move for the player. Barcelona were reported to pay at least $58.3 million for Leeds to have signed the Brazilian international.