Alleged Neymar, Lionel Messi Abuse Prompts LFP Action Against Espanyol

Spanish authorities will be forced to act on allegations that Barcelona players were abused by Espanyol fans during Saturday's Catalan derby.

Continue for updates.

---

Espanyol Face Investigation, Possible Fine

Wednesday, April 29

As noted by Reuters (h/t The Guardian), Espanyol are likely to face investigation: "[...] Espanyol will be reported to a Spanish government commission that seeks to combat violence, racism and xenophobia in sport, the Liga de Futbol Profesional said on Tuesday."

The same article also suggests "Espanyol are likely to be hit with a hefty fine over the incidents."

---

Abuse Mars Barcelona's Derby Win

Tuesday, April 28

The Blaugrana grabbed a 2-0 win over their local rivals at the Power8 Stadium, with goals from Neymar and Lionel Messi maintaining Barca's two-point lead over Real Madrid atop the Spanish division. However, the result was soured by reports of alleged abuse toward the goalscorers, as well as Gerard Pique, Luis Suarez and Dani Alves.

Cadena Cope (h/t AS) confirmed the LFP has "denounced" such behaviour and may "put the case in the hands of the Anti-Violence Committee, who would then make a ruling on the matter." Chants calling Messi a "retard" and Pique a "b-----d" are noted, while Neymar and Alves are said to have received racist slurs.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Nicholas Rigg of AS described the Suarez incident:

LFP president Javier Tebas has been vocal about his plans to stop violence and provocative gestures in Spanish football. This is largely a reactionary move after a Deportivo La Coruna fan was killed outside Atletico Madrid's Vicente Calderon last year in a "violent fight," as reported by The Guardian.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

"They say La Liga is the best in the world, but for that to be so, we have to be a secure league, that has silenced the cries of intolerance and violence within football," said Tebas at a security seminar, per Mundo Deportivo (h/t ESPN FC). 

He is keen to stop both fans and players from inciting a potentially dangerous reaction from the other.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was recently condemned for his "calm down" celebration during the Clasico. He was also alleged to have grabbed his testicles in a provocative manner toward the referee, as well as showing a "robbery" gesture during Los Blancos' win over Rayo Vallecano.

David Ramos/Getty Images

"We have to be careful with provocative gestures by a player when he scores a goal or with any other provocation or conduct that could incite violence among spectators," said Tebas, per Iain Rogers of Reuters (h/t Daily Mail). "It must be sanctioned, from a fine up to a suspension. We will look into it."

As of yet, 39-goal hero Ronaldo (La Liga's leading scorer) is yet to be charged.

Unfortunately for Barca, this isn't the first time they've been on the end of abuse from the opposition's crowd. A year ago, Alves took a bite from a banana which was launched at him by a Villarreal fan, as noted by Sky Sports:

Real Madrid fans were also reported for allegedly abusing Messi in December.

It will be interesting to see if any action is taken, particularly as Tebas is trying to rid Spanish football of trouble.