:LaLiga and Real Madrid reacted strongly on Sunday after racist insults were allegedly made against Barcelona players during Saturday’s match at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Spanish media reported that Barcelona striker Lamine Yamal, 17, of Equatorial Guinean and Moroccan origin, had been the target of xenophobic and racist insults. Barcelona won the match 4-0 with Yamal among the scorers.

“LaLiga will immediately report the racist insults and gestures received by Barcelona players to the hate crimes section of the National Police Information Brigade, as well as to the coordinating prosecutor of the hate crimes unit and discrimination from the state attorney general’s office,” LaLiga said. in a statement.

“LaLiga vehemently condemns the incidents at the Santiago Bernabeu and remains firm in its commitment to eradicating all forms of racist behavior and hatred inside and outside the stadiums.”

Real Madrid said it has opened an investigation to identify the perpetrators so that appropriate action can be taken.

“Real Madrid strongly condemns any type of behavior involving racism, xenophobia or violence in football and sport, and deeply regrets the insults that some supporters uttered last night in one of the corners of the stadium,” the club said in a statement.

Barcelona did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga have taken steps to combat the increase in racist abuse, including partially closing stadiums.

Four people were arrested and questioned in Spain on Thursday on suspicion of carrying out an online hate campaign encouraging fans to racially insult Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr. in the build-up to the match against Atletico Madrid last month.

In June, the Valencia Court of First Instance handed down the first conviction for racist insults in a football stadium in Spain.