- Samuel Umtiti had to be held back by Gerard Pique after the Barcelona derby
- Umtiti was called a ‘black s***’ by Espanyol’s Sergio Garcia, say reports in Spain
- The alleged abuse came after a bad-tempered La Liga game, which ended 1-1
Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti was racially abused by an Espanyol player after the two sides played out a bad-tempered draw on Sunday, according to reports in Spain.
The game, a 1-1 draw, ended in acrimony with both sides arguing on the pitch and in the tunnel at the RCDE Stadium.
Umtiti and home forward Sergio Garcia were having a particularly angry disagreement, with the Barca player having to be pulled away by his captain and defensive partner Gerard Pique.
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Barcelona star Samuel Umtiti was racially abused by an Espanyol player, according to reports
Umtiti had to be held back by Barca captain Gerard Pique after the game, which ended 1-1
A furious Umtiti was called a ‘black s***’ by forward Sergio Garcia, say reports in Spain
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Garcia called Umtiti a ‘black s***’, which prompted the France international to react so furiously.
TV footage showed Umtiti repeatedly shouting ‘why this phrase?’ in Spanish as Pique held him back, with Espanyol manager Quique Sanchez Flores also getting involved.
Another news outlet in Spain, Marca, say match referee Jesus Gil Manzano noted in his official match report that arguments between players continued in the tunnel after they were broadcast live from the pitch.
However there was no mention of racism in the official report, and there were no names given of the players involved in the conflicts.
The alleged abuse came after a bad-tempered Barcelona derby, played out in driving rain
Marca also report that Garcia sought out Umtiti in the away dressing room afterwards and apologised, which the former Lyon defender accepted.
However, it remains to be seen whether Barcelona make an official complaint or if the Spanish FA will investigate the allegations, which followed a tense derby played in pouring rain.
Pique scored a late equaliser for the La Liga leaders after Gerard Moreno headed the opener. Barca are 12 points clear of Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league.
It is also reported Garcia apologised to Umtiti in the dressing room after the match ended
