They’re rivals on and off the pitch, but the latest edition of El Clasico has provoked controversy that pushed the tension between Barcelona and Real Madrid to a boiling point.
Barcelona are currently pursuing a case against Manolo Sanchís and Poli Rincon through the Anti-Violence Commission over comments the ex-Real players made about Isco’s horror tackle on Neymar in El Clasico. The Spain starlet was given a straight red card, Real Madrid lost El Clasico, and that should have been the end of it.
But Manolo and Poli clearly couldn’t leave it be. On the Cadena COPE, both former players took Isco’s side, the former claiming "Neymar se está pasando de la raya, demasiado pocas se está llevando," which translates as "Neymar is crossing the line, he isn't getting [hit] enough,” while the latter said, "si estoy ahí yo le pego, no tengas ninguna duda de que le pego; yo y cualquiera", which is, "If I am there, I hit him, don’t doubt for a second that I hit him; me and anyone else."
Despite the host offering the pair several chances to retract their statements, they were resolute in their claims. While pundits are sought after for their opinions and insight, often generating publicity for broadcasters through controversial analysis, Barcelona are taking the position that these words constitute an incitement to violence, and as such have taken their case to the Anti-Violence Commission.
Manolo Sanchís talks to the media about Neymar. (Photo: @partidodelas12 | Twitter)
Possibly an overreaction? Would they have taken it so seriously if it had been another club’s former players who had made the comments? Are these ex-players guilty of letting club loyalty boil over into malice?
Unfortunately, Spanish football has recently seen off-field violence escalate, with a Deportivo La Coruña fan dying in organized fighting before a league clash with Atlético Madrid. As a result, Spanish football authorities have been seeking to crack down on violence in any form, and comments like those offered up by Manolo and Poli could well land them in hot water.
All in all, it’s an unpleasant sideshow to what was an excellent game of football. Neymar has showcased his outrageous gifts more than ever this season in the absence of Lionel Messi (and after his El Clasico return), and fans of football have been the ones to reap the rewards.
But such a brilliant talent can only prosper with proper protection from referees: the idea that players should go out and hit opposition that they can’t stop legally is obviously ridiculous, and it’s a shame that neither pundit could put their own tribalism to one side and acknowledge this, when given multiple opportunities to do so.
