Rafa Mir accused of racist remark towards El Hilali as Elche v Espanyol halted | OneFootball

Sunday’s Elche v Espanyol was halted for three minutes after the referee activated the anti-racism protocol following an allegation by Omar El Hilali against Rafa Mir.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the referee’s report states that in the 78th minute El Hilali told him Mir had said ‘viniste en patera’, adding that none of the officiating team heard it.

Referee Iosu Galech Apezteguía crossed his arms in an X to signal the procedure, then spoke with both coaches and stadium security at the Manuel Martínez Valero before restarting play.

At the time Espanyol led 1-2. Television pictures showed the confrontation and El Hilali’s anger, while Mir denied the claim with emphatic gestures. Play resumed without bookings.

Later, during the penalty for 2-2, El Hilali tried to unnerve Mir by recalling their earlier spat, but the Murcian scored and celebrated by putting a finger to his lips.

Mir is also involved in a separate off-field case, a sexual assault complaint that is before the courts and awaiting a trial date.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo