US EditionElche Striker Rafa Mir Accused of Racism in La Liga Match Against Espanyol
Referee paused the match for three minutes after Espanyol defender accused Rafa Mir of an immigrant-related slur during a LaLiga game that ended 2-2.
- On Mar 1, 2026, Espanyol and Elche drew 2-2 after Mir scored a 90th-minute penalty, prompting the referee to activate the anti-racism protocol.
- Referee Iosu Galech Apezteguia activated the anti-racism protocol after Espanyol defender Omar El Hilali accused Elche forward Rafa Mir of a racist insult during the match on Sunday.
- The report notes the phrase `You came here on a dinghy`, which the refereeing team could not hear, and the match was stopped for three minutes under the anti-racism protocol.
- Elche CF, 17th in LaLiga, haven't won in 10 matches while seventh-place RCD Espanyol are winless in nine straight games, and Omar El Hilali appeared visibly upset after the incident.
- Recurring incidents, including those involving Vinicius Junior, highlight ongoing racism issues in Spanish football, less than two weeks after a Champions League halt over alleged abuse.
42 Articles
42 Articles
The perico club states in a statement that it 'reproves behaviors that violate the dignity of people, including reasons of origin, skin color or personal beliefs'.
The employer is tracking all available shots to see if it is true that Rafa Mir said “you came in as a kicker” to Omar El Hilali.
Omar El Hilali (Espanyol) alleges that Rafa Mir (Elche) told him on the field, “You came in a dinghy,” a phrase that is not just another outburst but one of grave historical significance, a racist insult because it attacks the other person's humanity. Did Rafa Mir say that with his mouth covered? Did Prestianni call Vinicius a “monkey” while covering his shirt? Did the Real Madrid player sent off at the Bernabéu for making the Nazi salute have t…
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By TAEES AZZONI MADRID (AP) — Espanyol and Elche drew 2-2 on Sunday in a Spanish league match that was briefly interrupted toward the end after the referee activated the anti-racism protocol. The referee's decision came around the 80th minute after Espanyol defender Omar El Hilali accused Elche forward Rafa Mir of racially abusing him. The match was stopped for about three minutes. The referee stated in his post-match report that El Hilali told …
Arbitrator Galech Apezteguía stopped Elche-Espanyol in the 78th minute, activating the protocol for an alleged racist insult from Rafa Mir to El Hilali.
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