Barcelona, Jan 9: Espanyol's supporters deserve top marks despite directing racist chants at Barcelona's Daniel Alves in Sunday's 1-1 draw between the city rivals, the Spanish club's president said.
Sections of fans in the Cornella-El Prat stadium imitated monkey sounds every time Alves touched the ball. The Brazilian defender, who is black, told Catalunya Radio that he did not hear the chants during the game.
"I didn't like it but the public's behavior was a 10, both Espanyol's and Barcelona's," said Ramon Condal, the club president. "If we can do something about those chants, we will."
Barcelona counterpart Sandro Rossel said: "It's clear we are not happy with this, not happy at all."
Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino also said he did not here the chants but that racism "is something we want to eradicate in every football ground."
The issue of racism in football has re-emerged in recent months in England, where leading clubs Liverpool and Chelsea are dealing with alleged on-field racist remarks made by their players.
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned for eight matches after being found guilty by the English Football Association of repeatedly racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a Premier League game in October. Suarez and Liverpool denied the accusation.
In a separate case, a man was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing an Oldham player during last weekedn's F.A. Cup match at Liverpool.
Chelsea captain John Terry is facing a criminal charge for allegedly directing racist comments toward QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a league match in October. Terry, who also denies the charge, will appear in court on Feb. 1.
