On February 26, 2025, the highly anticipated Copa del Rey semifinal match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid took a disturbing turn as offensive chants directed at Real Madrid defender Raúl Asencio compelled the referee to halt the game. Associated with controversial allegations, the chants raised significant concern about fan behavior and prompted immediate action from match officials.
From the outset, it was clear this match—held at the Reale Arena—would not be just another game. Fans flocked to support Real Sociedad, who aimed to secure victory and move closer to the finals. Yet, the atmosphere quickly soured as fans began to jeer and boo whenever Raúl touched the ball.
The intensity of hostility peaked when portions of the crowd began to chant, "‘ASENCIO, MUÉRETE!’" This outcry, albeit from only part of the stadium, was loud enough to catch the attention of Referee Sánchez Martínez. Witnesses reportedly saw him confirm, "Lo he escuchado yo mismo," indicating his awareness of the situation.
Frequent disruptions during the match led to Sánchez activating the anti-hate protocol—a response mandated by La Liga regulations for dealing with discrimination. The protocol involved stopping the game until the fans received clear messages urging them to refrain from such behavior. A message read over the stadium's loudspeakers emphasized respect: "No a los cánticos racistas, xenófobos e intolerantes, anima y apoya al equipo respetando al rival." This reflected not just the immediate response to the conduct but also the broader imperative for tolerance within sports.
Raúl’s troubled encounters with fans stem from serious allegations linking him to the distribution of explicit content involving minors. Although no definitive evidence has been established to prove these claims, he remains under investigation, casting long shadows over his professional life. From the moment he stepped onto the pitch, the pressure was palpable. His presence was met with relentless negativity—an unfortunate norm for him since the scandal broke.
Despite the unfriendly reception, he has emerged as one of coach Carlo Ancelotti's trusted players, filling positions left vacant due to injuries among first-team stars. But even as he gained prominence within the team, the baggage of these accusations has led to continued hostility from rival fans. Similar scenes unfolded at other stadiums like Pamplona, where he faced similar insults and chants.
When the referee halted the match, it wasn't just to address the misconduct from the crowd; it was also to safeguard the player. Captain Vinicius approached Sánchez to alert him to the hostile environment, signaling concern for his teammate's well-being. Following the stoppage, significant conversations ensued between the officials, coaches, and security personnel at the arena to discuss the course of action.
Even with the referee’s intervention, the underlying issues representing fan behavior loomed over the match. After several minutes, the game resumed, but the heavy atmosphere remained. Ancelotti made the decision to substitute Raúl at halftime, bringing Lucas Vázquez onto the field and removing Raúl from the line of fire, both to protect him from the tension and to avoid the potential risks of playing with only ten men.
This situation underscored the pressing need for sports bodies to create safe spaces for all players, free from harassment and discrimination. The game finished as planned but with officials readying reports on the incident, which would likely result in fines for Real Sociedad as part of La Liga's regulations for dealing with misconduct from supporters.
“It’s disheartening to see such behavior,” remarked one spectator. “We come here to support our team, not to hurl abuse at players.”
The chants heard throughout the stadium echoed the broader discourse on how sports intersect with social issues, including the persistent challenges of racism and intolerance. For many fans and players alike, such incidents spur the call for change and greater accountability.
The evening at the Reale Arena might have concluded without major incident, but the echoes of disdain directed at Raúl will resonate long after the final whistle. Sports should unify, yet this match revealed the work still needed to cultivate respect and camaraderie among teams and their supporters.