The police can stop a sporting event if there are racist incidents

Security forces can immediately suspend and evict sporting events where they are held. incidents violent, racists and discriminatory, as determined by the Internal Instruction, which seeks to respond to the “profusion” of this behavior in the parties.

The circular issued this Thursday by the Secretary of State for Security, Rafael Pérez, strengthens and improves the instruments of agents in stadiums after cases of racist insults like the one received by the player Real Madrid Vinicius at the meeting before Valencia at the stadium Mestalla.

The security coordinator can propose to the arbitrator not to start, paralyze or suspend his marking, as well as to leave part or all of the space when there are events that involve or incite violence, or are racist, xenophobic or intolerant acts, the Ministry reported internally.

This person, introduced by the Law against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sports, is always a member of the security forces, who directs and organizes the police apparatus for the protection of sports competitions and coordinates with the Organizational Supervision Unit.

The aim of the instruction is to respond “to the abundance of incidents recorded at sporting events when, in the heat of competitive rivalry and under the protection of the feeling of impunity conveyed by the anonymity of the masses, individual fans express an aggressive discourse of intolerance, hatred and discrimination towards a rival, often with racist, xenophobic or homophobic overtones”. .

Some behaviors that, in extreme cases, can lead to the commission of hate crimes or other antisocial and violent acts, according to the MUP.

Among the behaviors that can lead to suspension or expulsion are statements with the intention of widespread dissemination in which someone is threatened, insulted or harassed because of their racial, ethnic, geographic or social origin, religion, belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity, gender expression or sexual characteristics.

Also in cases of harassment at a sports facility, in its surroundings or in public transport, the aim of which is to violate the dignity of the person being harassed and create a frightening, humiliating or offensive environment.

Statements, gestures or insults in these areas, as well as intoning chants, sounds or slogans and displaying banners, flags, symbols or other signs with humiliating or intimidating messages is another behavior that can cause suspension.

The security coordinators will propose to the referee or sports referee the temporary suspension of the match while the incidents are ongoing or the partial or complete evacuation of the stands, for its subsequent continuation or final suspension.

In any case, the instruction reminds that the agent can order an eviction on his own initiative, in urgent cases of changes to public safety or serious risk, after the requirements for the establishment of order have been exhausted and when there is no immediate possibility to do so.

The law considers any behavior that includes violent, racist, xenophobic and intolerant behavior to be a misdemeanor, which can be committed by spectators and organizers of a sports event, regardless of whether it occurs on the sports field itself, in its surroundings or in the space. Public or organized means of transport that go to the venue of the competition or are announced through the media.

In the case of organizers, permissiveness, organizing, active participation or encouraging and promoting such behavior, as well as supporting the activities of clubs, associations, groups or fan groups that violate the law, are also punishable.

The coordinator can file a report or complaint due to refusal of cooperation or poor cooperation by the organizers, as well as due to the seriousness of the event and its development.

In addition, it can trigger the initiation of disciplinary proceedings due to a violation of the law and issue a corresponding certificate for the purpose of removing criminal, administrative or disciplinary liability.