A Rayo Vallecano fan on Monday appeared to interfere with a Sevilla player taking a throw-in during their La Liga match.
Lucas Ocampos was on the touchline 33 minutes into the first half when a fan reached out and poked his backside. The Argentine winger turned to remonstrate with the young fan and then called the referee over. The match was halted briefly.
Some fans laughed at the incident as Rayo players appealed to the crowd to behave.
Photo: EPA-EFE
“You can see what happened in the [video] images,” Ocampos told broadcaster DAZN. “I hope La Liga takes it as seriously as it takes racism and these things. I don’t think all the Rayo people are like that, because they have always treated us with respect, but there is always one fool.
“I hope it doesn’t happen in other areas, because if this happens in a women’s football match we know what can happen. I kept my calm because I have two daughters, I hope this doesn’t happen to them in the future. I hope that the action that has to be taken is taken, and I hope that a fool like this does not stain a set of fans who otherwise behaved very well.”
The incident was the only blot on an otherwise happy night for Sevilla, who won 2-1 and ended a six-game winless streak. Sevilla moved to 15th place in La Liga, three points clear of the relegation zone.
Rayo were two places higher but the defeat was their fifth in a row and coach Francisco is likley worried about his team’s lack of finesse in front of goal. Only Cadiz and RCD Mallorca have fewer goals in La Liga.
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