In its latest weekly report detailing incidents of violence and abuse in stadiums, the Spanish football league, La Liga, has formally condemned the offensive chants directed at Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé and his manager, Álvaro Arbeloa. The incidents occurred during the away fixture against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium this past Sunday, a match that concluded with a crucial 2-0 victory for the visiting side. This result, secured in the 23rd matchday of the domestic competition, allowed Real Madrid to narrow the gap with league leaders Barcelona to a mere single point.
The league’s report, meticulously documenting events from the round, included specific entries concerning the verbal abuse from a segment of the home supporters. Highlighting the coordinated nature of the insults, the report outlined two distinct episodes targeting the high-profile figures from the Spanish capital.
La Liga’s Official Account of the Incidents
According to the official statement released by the league body, the abuse was systematic. The report’s eighth and ninth points detailed the precise moments of the chants. At the 55th minute of the contest, a group of home fans situated in the Gol Sur / Mario Alberto Kempes stand initiated a collective, synchronized chant lasting approximately 8 seconds, which insulted Kylian Mbappé.
Merely three minutes later, at the 58th-minute mark, the same contingent of supporters launched another coordinated chant, this time aimed at manager Álvaro Arbeloa. Lasting for around 10 seconds, the chant referenced a previous sardonic comment made by former footballer Gerard Piqué, labeling Arbeloa with a derogatory term.
This recent episode at Mestalla evokes a troubling precedent from the recent past. It arrives nearly a year after a Spanish court sentenced 5 Valencia supporters to a one-year prison term for racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior during a match in 2022. Notably, Vinícius was absent from Sunday’s encounter due to suspension, thus avoiding the hostile environment that has become somewhat customary at the venue.
In its communication, La Liga reiterated its ongoing role in combating stadium violence, emphasizing that it actively gathers reports, observations, and formal complaints from attending fans. The organization also stressed its longstanding appeal for broader statutory powers to effectively confront and penalize such persistent misconduct within Spanish football.