Sevilla have condemned the “obscene and completely inappropriate” incident suffered by forward Lucas Ocampos during their La Liga match at Rayo Vallecano.
During the 33rd minute of the match, which Sevilla won 2-1, Ocampos was poked on the backside from a supporter in the stands as he prepared to take a throw-in.
Ocampos, 29, turned round to speak to the individual before calling the referee over as play was briefly stopped.
A club statement from Sevilla read: “We would like to place on record our disgust at the incident that occurred this Monday during our match against Rayo Vallecano, in which our player Lucas Ocampos was subjected to an obscene and completely inappropriate act by a home fan.
“We hope that the appropriate measures outlined in the regulations will be taken to prevent such behaviour from happening again on a football field, and we have expressed this to La Liga directly. These gestures and behaviours should not be allowed in our competition if we aspire to be the best league in the world.
“We send our full support to Lucas Ocampos, who showed composure and immense professionalism despite the unacceptable behavior of the fan who harassed him.”
ℹ️ Official Statement: Unacceptable act suffered by Lucas Ocampos at Vallecas
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) February 6, 2024
Ocampos called on La Liga to take serious action after the incident.
“Hopefully La Liga takes the incident seriously, like it does with racism,” he told Spanish TV station Gol after the match.
“Not all Rayo supporters are like that and we are always treated with respect here, but there is always one idiot.
“If this was to happen in women’s football, we know what can happen.
“I restrained myself because I have two daughters and I hope it does not happen to them in the future.
“I hope that the action that needs to be taken is taken and this does not stain an entire fanbase.”
Sevilla head coach Quique Sanchez Flores said after the match: “You have to wonder what goes through people’s minds.
“Where is the security in the stadium, and how are these people let through?
“I have always believed that football is something crazy but brilliant and we hope this does not happen again.”
Sevilla won the match 2-1 — their fourth La Liga victory of the season to move them up to 15th in the standings.
(David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
