LaLiga’s protocol against hatred was enacted during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg tie against Real Sociedad.
The match, being played in San Sebastian, saw the home crowd chant ‘Asencio die’ at Madrid’s latest academy graduate, Raul Asencio, according to multiple reports.
Spanish media giants MARCA claim that the chants were heard after Asencio committed a foul on Ander Barrenetxea during first-half stoppage time.
The referee, Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez, was alerted by Dani Ceballos, and then halted the game for ‘several minutes’.
The screen at the Reale Arena displayed the message: “No to racist, xenophobic and intolerant chants, encourage and support the team while respecting the rival” in both Spanish and Basque.
Sanchez Martinez then explained what was happening to both captains, Vinicius Jr and Mikel Oyarzabal, before doing the same with managers Carlo Ancelotti and Imanol Alguacil.
The game then resumed and the half-time whistle was soon blown, but Asencio was substituted during the break for Lucas Vazquez.
The anti-hatred protocol allows officials to suspend a match indefinitely should chants continue, but on this occasion it was not necessary.
Asencio was the victim of boos throughout the match when he touched the ball, a fate he suffered in similar circumstances away at Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna.
The 22-year-old centre back has been a godsend for Ancelotti and Madrid this season, stepping up from their academy and performing brilliantly.
Los Blancos have had an injury crisis in defence with David Alaba only just returning from a long-term ACL injury and Eder Militao out for the season with another.
Captain Dani Carvajal has also suffered the debilitating but common knee ailment, yet Asencio has stepped up and not looked out of place in his 13 first-team games so far.
GettyThe managers also got an explanation[/caption]
Things appeared to be changing in his 14th against Sociedad, though, with the central defender deployed at right-back and struggling throughout his 45 minutes.
However, he didn’t have too much to worry about, with Real Madrid taking an early first-leg lead as Jude Bellingham’s sublime long ball set Endrick up for a 19th minute opener.
The winner after the second leg will face either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid who played out an incredible 4-4 draw a night earlier.