What was supposed to be a simple friendly match in the Children’s category (children aged 12 and 13) between Sant Vicenç de Castellet and Pirinaica de Manresa, preparatory for the second division league competition in which the two teams play and which begins this coming weekend, degenerated this past Sunday into an unfortunate one episode of racism. The protagonists, individuals from the stands. And the victim, a child.
“What we experienced in the field of Sant Vicenç de Castellet this morning is one of the most disgusting things I have seen in my life. Parents making movements and noises allusive to the tamarins when one black player of our team was touching the ball”, reported one of the Pirinaica parents on social networks.
After the match, the unrest was such that the board of directors of Sant Vicenç de Castellet came out strongly condemning the events. In a statement, they expressed their “rejection of any discriminatory, violent, racist, xenophobic or intolerant act” and explained that they have opened an investigation to clarify the facts and identify the people participating in this racist act. “When we receive and analyze all the information, we will act with all the force necessary”, the club assured.
The president of La Pirinaica, Gerard Checa, confirmed this Monday to Catalunya Ràdio that a player from his team was scolded with “monkey noises and gestures” by supporters of Sant Vicenç. “There were a few minutes left before the end of the match, when a sector of the stands started making noises and monkey gestures”, he said, before affirming that “it is not the first time it has happened”. “It’s happening,” he said.
The Pirinaica coach immediately made the decision to leave the field and suspend the match. “Since it’s not the first time it’s happened to us, our coaches already know that when faced with episodes of this type, we leave the field”, explained Checa.
The president of La Pirenaica described Sant Vicenç’s response as “exemplary”. “It’s a humble club like us, which tries to work as best as possible. On Sunday afternoon they contacted us to apologize and guarantee us that they will investigate the facts and put measures in place so that it does not happen again”, pointed out Checa, who warns that “these things happen in football”. . “It’s not about pointing out a club, but the attitude of certain people”, he added.
