FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly condemned the appalling racist abuse directed at Barcelona player Alejandro Balde during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Getafe, held on Saturday evening at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. Speaking to the Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo, Infantino expressed his shock and disgust at the incident, stating, “I am deeply horrified by the racism that Alejandro Balde experienced during his match against Getafe. Such reprehensible behavior has no place in our society, let alone in the world of football.”
Infantino went on to stress the importance of collective action to address and eliminate racism, saying, “It is essential for all of us to unite and take a firm stand against the scourge of racism. We must work together to eradicate it entirely. Racism and any form of discrimination are unacceptable. I wholeheartedly condemn the abuse that Balde endured.”
Mundo Deportivo pointed out the stark difference between FIFA’s immediate and decisive response to the incident and the apparent lack of action from La Liga, the Spanish football league. Balde, who plays as a left-back for Barcelona, openly condemned the racist insults directed at him by fans during the 1-1 draw. Taking to social media, he voiced his outrage and disappointment, drawing attention to the unacceptable behavior he faced from the stands.
