Levante player accuses Celta’s Aspas of racist insult

MADRID — Levante midfielder Jefferson Lerma has accused Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas of using a racist slur to insult him during a Spanish league match on Sunday.

Lerma tells GOL television that “these acts of racism can’t happen.”

Aspas, who is a Spain international, denies racially abusing Lerma.

Aspas tells Celta’s website that “what is said on the pitch, stays on the pitch, so I won’t repeat what he said to me. In any case, I did not say what he says I did.”

Lerma, who is black, says that he reported the alleged abuse to referee Alfonso Alvarez, but claims that Alvarez responded that he was tired of his complaints.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

Alvarez made no mention of the incident in his report.

Levante issued a statement saying it fully supported Lerma and its “rejection of all racism in football.”

Celta won the match at Levante 1-0.

The Associated Press