Spanish fans ‘would kill’ black referee

BARCELONA striker Samuel Eto’o believes the problem of racism in Spanish football has escalated to the extent that authorities could never appoint a black referee as fans “would kill him.”

The Cameroon international, who has retained his title as African Footballer of the year, spoke out after another weekend of La Liga action tainted by racist chanting.

“Referees are all hated and seen in a bad light and if on top of this they were black, then you can guess what would happen.”

Eto’o, not for the first time this season, was on the receiving end of abuse on Saturday after monkey taunts reverberated around Real Zaragoza’s La Romareda stadium following his goal in Barca’s 4-1 win.

The 17-goal striker, who was also abused during Barca’s game at Albacete earlier in the season, responded by mimicking a monkey.

“People paid for their tickets to see a monkey and so I did it. I am an actor on the pitch, and they paid to see me,” said Eto’o.