Rayo Majadahonda goalkeeper Cheikh Sarr has been handed a two-match ban after being sent off in Saturday’s game at Sestao River for confronting fans who had racially insulted him.
Sestao, who were leading 2-1 before the game was abandoned, have been awarded a 3-0 win. However, the club has been handed a two-match stadium closure and a €6,001 ($6,496) fine after the disciplinary committee substantiated there was racially discriminatory behaviour directed at Sarr by the home fans and the team failed “to act diligently or cooperate in the repression of violent, racist, xenophobic or intolerant behaviour.”
Senegalese-born Sarr was shown a red card in the 84th minute of his team’s third-division league match. Majadahonda refused to continue the game following Sarr’s red card.
Majadahonda have been deducted an additional three points and fined €3,006 for walking off in response to the racial abuse.
The Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) disciplinary committee on Wednesday punished Sarr for a “minor infraction of conduct contrary to good sporting order,” noting that the confrontation came “in the context of unacceptable personal aggression.”
Sestao denied in a statement that there had been any racist chants directed at any players during the encounter but reiterated their firm commitment in the fight against racism and xenophobia.
The dual punishments will further fuel the debate swirling around racism in Spanish football and came on the same day that Getafe were ordered to partially close their central stand for three matches following the racist and xenophobic abuse suffered by Sevilla manager Quique Sánchez Flores and player Marcos Acuña in Saturday’s LaLiga game.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.