The Seville derby is the fiercest cross-city encounter in Spain. Atletico’s resurgence has made the once one-sided Madrid derby more interesting, while Levante’s relatively recent rise has made the Valencian derby notable.
Barcelona’s game against Espanyol has had its moments, but Goliath usually triumphs over David.
In Seville, Spain’s fourth-biggest city, with a population of 700,000, are clubs who measure up similarly on many levels. Sevilla and Real Betis average around 35,000 for home games, both historically have had to sell their best players and know stoicism is part of their support.
Both have been relegated this century. Overall, Sevilla have had the upper hand, with their trophy-winning years between 2006 and 2008 the best in their history.
Football matters in Seville, but the passion can be misplaced. Sevilla beat Betis 4-0 on Sunday. Once again, the atmosphere was febrile and ill-tempered. For the eighth successive derby, a player was sent off. For the third successive derby, Sevilla scored three or more. Betis are bottom and getting worse.
Their fans are understandably frustrated, but that does not justify them making racist monkey noises – at their own player.
The Brazilian Paulo was sent off in the first half after receiving two yellow cards. Some of the 1,500 travelling Betis fans abused him.
They also racially abused the Cameroonian Stephane Mbia, on loan from Queens Park Rangers.
Though the chants were clearly audible in the stadium and on TV, the referee did not include them in his post-match report. Only one Spanish newspaper mentioned the chanting.
Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, was not so reticent.
He tweeted: “Sickened to learn of ‘fans’ racially abusing a Real Betis player. I condemn their actions, which were seen on TV/online by millions.
“Fifa’s members approved a resolution at congress in May to tackle discrimination … It’s time for tougher sanctions.
“It’s nonsense for racism to be dealt with fines — you can always find somebody to pay them.”
The incident brings shame on Betis, but also on Spanish football for not effectively dealing with the lingering spectre of racism inside their stadiums.
The situation has improved from a decade ago when Roberto Carlos would be subjected to monkey noises in Camp Nou, but a racist minority are still present inside stadiums.
It is a problem for football; it’s also a bigger problem for Spanish society.
sports@thenational.ae
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