Celta decries racial abuse toward player in Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain — Following a dramatic La Liga match that saw Barcelona edge out Celta Vigo with a 4-3 victory, Celta midfielder Ilaix Moriba experienced a distressing incident involving racist insults from the stands, according to his coach.
The 22-year-old Moriba, originally from Guinea, was the target of racial slurs when he was substituted late into the game, his coach Claudio Giráldez shared in a press conference.
“It’s disheartening that such behavior still exists in soccer today,” Giráldez remarked to the media.
Moriba’s journey began at Barcelona’s esteemed training academy, where he quickly rose through the ranks and joined the first team as a rising star. In 2021, he made the move to Leipzig after reportedly receiving a more enticing contract offer from the German club. Since departing Barcelona, Moriba has spent time on loan at several Spanish teams, including Valencia, Getafe, and currently, Celta.
This incident adds to a worrying pattern within Spanish soccer, where Black players continue to face racial abuse during matches.