Racing Santander respond to Castellón with statement, say gesture was for player’s girlfriend | OneFootball

Racing Santander have responded to CD Castellón’s complaint with a statement outlining their version of events from Saturday’s match.

The club said in a statement that trouble began after Giorgi Guliashvili put them 0-1 up, when a small group of home supporters turned aggressive with insults, threatening gestures and food thrown, and that abusive chants aimed at Santander were heard several times.

In the 89th minute Íñigo Vicente was substituted and, instructed to leave by the opposite touchline, walked around the outside of the pitch. Near the corner by complimentary admissions, he made a gesture of affection to his girlfriend, which she returned. The group then targeted her and her companions with sustained insults and threats, with many in the area, including private security, witnessing it.

The girlfriend reacted with an ill judged gesture, presented as a response to the provocation and nerves of the moment.

After the match, as players went to greet family in that corner, a bottle thrown from the stand struck Vicente on the leg. He picked it up with the cap on and, rather than throw it back, moved towards the area of the thrower to seek an explanation. Soon after, a second bottle was thrown and hit another Racing player.

The conduct was condemned as behaviour that risks the physical safety of those involved.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo