Spanish police have detained a football fan accused of racially abusing Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé during a La Liga match last month. Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the suspect was taken into custody after being identified through an investigation prompted by an official complaint from the Spanish league.
The alleged incident took place during Real Madrid’s 3-0 win against Real Oviedo on August 24. According to police, the fan—whose identity has not been publicly disclosed—was accused of making monkey gestures and sounds toward Mbappé shortly after the French striker opened the scoring late in the first half.
The arrest adds to a growing list of racial abuse cases targeting Black players in Spanish football, a pattern that continues to raise concerns both within the sport and in wider society.
“This kind of behavior has no place in football or anywhere else,” police stated in their report. “We are committed to identifying and prosecuting those responsible for hate crimes in sports settings.”
The Spanish league has taken a firmer stance on racism in recent years, working with law enforcement to track down offenders and support players who are targeted. The investigation into the Oviedo incident marks yet another step in this broader effort.
Last week, another high-profile case reached a conclusion when an Espanyol supporter admitted to racially insulting Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams during a La Liga match five years ago. The fan accepted a legal deal to avoid prison time, signaling a shift toward accountability even for older cases.
In May, five Valladolid fans were found guilty of racially abusing Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior in 2022. The ruling was a historic one—it marked the first time Spain officially classified such insults in a football stadium as a hate crime.
Additionally, three Valencia supporters were sentenced to eight months in prison last year after pleading guilty to racially insulting Vinícius in a separate case. Although not classified as a hate crime, it was Spain’s first racism-related conviction in professional football.
These incidents continue to highlight the ongoing struggle against racism in Spanish football. While the convictions show progress, many players and advocacy groups say more consistent action is needed to eradicate discrimination from the game entirely.
The case involving Mbappé now heads to the judicial system, where it will be determined whether charges of hate crime will be pursued under Spanish law.
