Rafa Mir’s version after racism complaint in Espanyol clash | OneFootball

Rafa Mir was at the centre of a racism complaint during Elche’s match against Espanyol, on a night when he also scored the equaliser at the Martínez Valero.

In the 78th minute, referee Iosu Galech Azpeitia activated the anti-racism protocol at the request of Omar El Hilali. His report recorded that the Espanyol defender accused Mir of telling him he had arrived in a small boat, a phrase unheard by the officials or any other player, and there is currently no evidence beyond El Hilali’s testimony. According to El Chiringuito, Mir offers a different account.

Mir’s version is that he threatened to smash El Hilali’s head, and that this was in response to insults from the defender.

There was a heated exchange and Mir quickly wagged his finger to deny the allegation, then put a finger to his lips after his goal.

The striker, on loan from Sevilla, opened his Elche spell with three goals in his first four league games under Eder Sarabia. He reached six by the halfway point before a muscle injury ruled him out for a month, and Elche failed to win without him on the pitch.

Elche condemned any racism, intolerance or disrespect in sport and wider society, and said it would follow established procedures while upholding the values of the game.

Source: Superdeporte