Real Oviedo issue apology to Mbappe and Real Madrid over racist abuse at stadium | OneFootball

It was reported yesterday that a Real Oviedo fan, who was caught showing a racist gesture at Kylian Mbappe, has been arrested.

The incident took place on August 24, when Real Madrid travelled to Carlos Tartiere Stadium to face Real Oviedo in their second game of the season.

The national police confirmed the arrest of the fan, classifying the act as both a crime against moral integrity and hate crime.

Real Oviedo issues update and an apology

As reported by AS, Real Oviedo has issued an update on the matter as well as a public apology to Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe.

The club explained that it currently does not have access to the identity of the accused due to data protection laws.

Once the information is formally communicated, disciplinary measures will be handled by the club’s Social Disciplinary Committee.

Mbappe was the subject of racist gestures against Real Oviedo. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“The club strongly rejects any type of behavior that violates violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance in sport,” the statement read.

The report cites that Oviedo will “act with all the strictness that is statutorily possible to eradicate this type of attitude in our stadium.”

While stressing that the actions were an isolated case and not reflective of the broader fanbase, Oviedo also issued a direct apology.

“The club offers a sincere apology to both Real Madrid and its player Kylian Mbappe, who was the target of this regrettable event,” the statement concluded.

Real Oviedo’s swift actions, coupled with a public apology, do not mar the rather alarming fact that a fan of a newly-promoted club in Spain still had the gall of throwing racist gestures to a player, in a top-flight game.

This doesn’t reflect well for the Spanish footballing community, in general, and if things don’t improve soon, La Liga’s reputation will continue to get tarnished.