LaLiga and Catalan government team up to combat hate speech in sports

The Catalan government and LaLiga have signed a collaboration agreement to step up efforts against hate speech and harassment in sports. 

The deal, signed this Thursday, is part of the Catalan government's broader strategy to tackle discrimination, particularly in high-profile settings such as sporting events. 

The signing took place ahead of the event 'Against Hate: Public Policies, Sports Action, and Real Commitments,' where experts discussed the role of institutions and the sports sector in addressing discrimination. 

Under the agreement, both sides will expand outreach for the "La Liga vs Hate" and "La Liga vs Bullying" campaigns, while also launching joint prevention and awareness initiatives.

The agreement was signed by Catalan Sports Minister Berni Álvarez and Equality and Feminism Minister Eva Menor, alongside LaLiga Director of Public Affairs and Institutional Relations, Jose Montero and includes around 50 measures such as training, awareness campaigns, and public events.  

Menor announced that the Catalan government will translate LaLiga's outreach materials into Catalan. "An insult can last a second, but it has a lasting impact on people's lives," she said, warning against normalizing abuse and hate in sports competitions.

Álvarez said hate speech has become "almost routine in many sporting events" and can extend beyond stadiums. While stressing the importance of education, he also called for strong action to prevent escalation. 

He described a "turning point" following last week's Islamophobic chants during the Spain-Egypt match in Espanyol's RCDE Stadium in Cornellà de Llobregat.

The Sports Minister acknowledged that efforts to combat hate speech have been ongoing for years but warned that progress can quickly unravel. He urged for continued work with federations, clubs, and organizations, stressing that abuse at grassroots level, whether directed at players, referees, or from the stands, must be taken seriously. 

Offenders, he said, should be removed from venues, and clubs or players involved should face "exemplary sanctions." 

Montero said LaLiga and clubs are committed not only to eradicating hate speech in stadiums but also to setting an example for society.

For LaLiga, he added, hate speech constitutes a violation of human dignity, and the organization will continue to pursue legal action whenever possible.

Also attending were members of the Socialist Party, Gina Pol and Noa Monràs, representatives from the main Catalan clubs including FC Barcelona, RCD Espanyol, and Girona FC, along with members of the prosecutor's office.