Official Statement

Under the rules of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the Professional Football League's Anti-violence Commission will send a letter denouncing the chanting of songs that incite violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport, with these actions are contrary to the legal system foreseen in the RFEF Disciplinary Code. This same letter of complaint will be transferred to the Competition Committee.

We recall that LaLiga has activated a mail box for fans attending matches to send their complaints, suggestions or requests in order to contribute to the fight against violence in stadiums. The mail address is: viveelfutbol@laliga.es

Throughout this section and subject to concern a public and notorious fact, are listed the following behaviors that form the subject of this complaint and related with the match between RCD Espanyol, SAD and FC  Barcelona, ​​on January 2, 2016, of Liga BBVA matchday 18.

1. In the 14th minute, and when the referee awarded an offside to the player Neymar Jr, number 11, the cry "UHHHH" was heard, without being able to locate the area of origin, since numerous whistles from the stands were also heard.

2. In the 22nd minute, and during an argument between the players of both teams while the game was stopped, from the Cornellà Goal Zone, sections 109 and 110, where home fans from the group known or called "La Curva" are located, the chant “Puta Barça, puta Barça, eh” was initiated by a fan carrying a speaker, which was seconded in a coordinated way for about 250 people in the same
area and by the same group during 10 seconds. This chant was not supported for the rest of the fans.

3. In the 28th minute, and during the course of it, from Cornella Goal zone, sections 109 and 110, where home fans from the group known or called "La Curva" are located, the chant “¡Luis Enrique, tu padre es Amunike!”, referring to the visiting coach, was initiated by a fan carrying a speaker, which was seconded in a coordinated way for about 250 people in the same area and by the same group during 10 seconds. This chant was not supported for the rest of the fans.

4. In the 37th minute, and when a local player was going to take a throw-in, from the Cornellà Goal Zone, sections 109 and 110, where home fans from the group known or called "La Curva" are located, the chant “Puta Barça, puta Barça, eh”, referring to the visiting coach, was initiated by a fan carrying a speaker, which was seconded in a coordinated way for about 250 people in the same area and by the same group during 10 seconds. This chant was not supported for the rest of the fans.

5. In the 80th minute, and when the visiting team was going to take a free kick near the area of the home team, from the Prat Goal zone, sections 238 and 239, where home fans of the group known or called “Juvenil 1991" are located, the chant “Puta Barça, puta Barça, eh”, was sung in a coral and coordinated way for about 125 members of that group and for about 10 seconds. This chant was not supported by the rest of the fans.

6. In the 82nd minute, and after a foul committed on a home player in the midfield, from the Prat Goal zone, sections 238 and 239, where home fans of the group known or called “Juvenil 1991" are
located, the chant “Puta Barça, puta Barça, eh”, was sung in a coral and coordinated way for about 125 members of that group and for about 10 seconds. This chant was not supported by the rest of the fans.

As indicated in this report, it must be noted that the behavior of other spectators at the stadium was absolutely right throughout the match and that the facts described above always occurred in the specific area described earlier.

As for the prevention of violence that Real Club Deportivo Espanyol SAD may have adopted should be mentioned the following measures:

• In several access doors to the stadium there were posters exposed recalling the measures for the prevention of violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport

• Before the game and in the 25th, 38th and 65th minutes during the course of the game, a message against violence in football which regularly shows the local club in every game was issued through the stadium´s video scoreboard,

• Similarly, signage of the home club with the "Llei of l`esport", warning of the corresponding offenses in different degrees, were arranged in different areas of access.

• In the access controls inside the stadium a search of belongings (bags, backpacks, fanny packs, etc.) was carried out in order to prevent access of intolerant slogans and prohibited materials.

• In the 25th, 38th and 65th minutes, the same message against violence, racism and xenophobia in football was issued through the video scoreboard.