UEFA President Michel Platini’s office has issued a statement strongly condemning recent incidents of racism in Spanish football.
The weekend’s La Liga fixtures were marred by an angry exchange between Levante player Papakouli Diop and visiting Atletico Madrid fans.
Following the match, a 2-0 victory for the home side, the player claimed that some Rojiblancos supporters had made monkey gestures at him as he prepared to take a corner.
The incident follows the highly publicised goings on of last week, when Barcelona’s Dani Alves peeled and took a bit out of a banana after it was thrown at him by a Villarreal fan.
“UEFA and its President Michel Platini strongly condemn all forms of discrimination including recent racist behaviour of fans in Spain,” the statement reads.
“UEFA has tough rules and sanctions against all forms of discrimination for all its competitions.
“Where instances occur outside of our jurisdiction, we support appropriate action being taken by the relevant authorities.”
