Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos called for La Liga to take action after a Rayo Vallecano fan appeared to poke his backside as he prepared to take a throw-in.
The incident occurred after 33 minutes of the La Liga match on Monday evening and footage quickly went viral on social media. Ocampos turned to remonstrate with the young fan, and then called the referee over. The game was halted briefly, with some home fans laughing as Rayo players appealed to the crowd for calm.
The unpleasant incident was the only blot on an otherwise positive night for Sevilla, who won 2-1 at Vallecas to end a six-game winless streak and pull away from the relegation zone. Rayo are now just two points above Monday’s opponents after a fifth league defeat in a row.
“You can see what happened in the 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,” the 29-year-old added. “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.”
Sevilla took the lead after 19 minutes after a stroke of luck and some clinical finishing. Issac Romero’s wayward pass cannoned off a Rayo defender and into the path of Youssef En-Nesyri, who made no mistake from the edge of the area.
The home side levelled 10 minutes later when Isi Palazón turned in Alfonso Espino’s cross from the left. Romero and En-Nesyri combined to strike again a minute before half-time, the Moroccan forward finishing to earn all three points.