‘Will not tolerate it’ – Osasuna hit back at Real Madrid over claims of racist chants | OneFootball

Osasuna have on Tuesday released a lengthy statement, in response to that unveiled by La Liga rivals Real Madrid 24 hours ago.

The powers that be at the Santiago Bernabéu made public a damning communication on Monday, accusing sections of the home crowd in attendance at El Sadar for their weekend meeting with Osasuna of ‘violent attacks of racism, discrimination and hate’.

As much came amid claims of a fresh round of racially-motivated chants aimed at Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr.

Los Blancos went as far as to report the situation to the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee, fresh off a further complaint to the General State Prosecutor just last week.

As alluded to above, though, Osasuna, evidently, do not view events at El Sadar on Saturday in the same way as their latest opponents.

In a statement of their own this afternoon, Los Rojillos hit back at Real Madrid, in unwavering fashion.

Adamant that ‘no racist chant’ was forthcoming on the part of their supporters over the weekend, the brass in Pamplona launched a stern defence of the club, which can be read in its entirety below:

‘Given the information published in the media after Real Madrid Club de Fútbol’s press release, which presents El Sadar with racist behavior, Club Atlético Osasuna wants to clarify that no racist chants were uttered on Saturday’s match. Likewise, it demands an immediate rectification to the media that have offered false information and will file a lawsuit against those who persist in the fallacy. The club will not tolerate the tarnishing of the reputation of the Osasuna fans, who, throughout its history, have been known for their anti-racist stance.

‘Osasuna and its fans will always stand by any player who suffers racist insults, which have no place in sport or society. Therefore, the club wants to show its solidarity with players like Vinicius Junior or Peter Federico Gonzalez, who weeks ago have been the target of execrable, shameful, and condemnable racist attacks.

‘As part of Osasuna’s commitment to the fight against racism, the club joined the “LaLigaVS” campaign, which this past matchday focused on this issue on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Osasuna players took to the field, as did 17 other LaLiga EA Sports clubs, wearing shirts honoring the campaign. Real Madrid did not, as they opted to customize their own shirt with an anti-racism slogan. Likewise, Osasuna regrets that it was impossible to take a joint photograph of both teams showing the union of all against racism, as offered by los rojillos, and that it occurred in all other fields of LaLiga.

‘In addition, Osasuna wants to show its rejection of the insults—which had no racist references—that a minority proffered last Saturday at El Sadar. The club rejects these chants that, unfortunately, its players also have to suffer when they visit other LaLiga stadiums.

‘Osasuna continues its mission to raise awareness and eradicate, however minor, any behavior that does not conform to the values of sport. The players with respectful attitudes towards their opponents and the referees must also promote these sporting values, and each club must educate its professionals.

‘Club Atlético Osasuna wishes to end this press release by thanking its fans, who mostly behaved excellently despite the painful result. El Sadar once again proved to be a welcoming stadium where numerous rival fans could wear their team’s colors without any problem, which unfortunately still does not happen in other stadiums when those traveling are Osasuna fans. Los rojillos fans again showed exemplary behavior, as they did in the last final of the Copa del Rey between the two teams, which, despite the displacement of 23,000 rojillos, did not start a single incident.’

Conor Laird | GSFN