Moroccan player Omar Hilali, defender for Espanyol, was subjected to racist abuse from Elche striker Rafa Mir during the match between the two teams on Sunday evening in the Spanish League, according to press reports.
Hilali reported the abuse to referee Eosu Galich Abiztegia, who responded by placing his arms in the shape of an "X" as a symbol against racism. The match was stopped for about three minutes before resuming, which ended in a 2-2 draw after Mir scored the equalizing goal from a penalty in the 90th minute. The referee's report published in "The Athletic" newspaper indicated that the insult was related to immigrants, as Mir said to Hilali: "You came here on a small boat," in the 78th minute of the match. It is worth mentioning that Hilali was born in Spain to Moroccan parents and represents the Moroccan national team internationally. The reports clarified that the linesmen did not hear the abuse during the match, which prevented any direct action against Mir on the field, while the Spanish League Association has initiated an official investigation into the incident to follow up on the matter according to the applicable laws.
