LaLiga will not be bringing any charges against Cadiz defender Juan Cala following an incident in which Valencia’s Mouctar Diakhaby said he was racially abused.
The exchange led to Valencia players leaving the pitch in the first half, though they did return after 20 minutes with the exception of Diakhaby who was substituted.
Cala denied the allegations earlier this week during a press conference.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas ordered an investigation into the incident, which included calling in lipreaders and body language experts.
What have LaLiga said on the incident?
A statement released on Friday (via The Athletic) said that this investigation had not found any evidence, and therefore LaLiga was not going to take any action: “LaLiga have communicated to the clubs involved and the relevant authorities the result of investigations to resolve what happened between the players of Cadiz CF and Valencia CF during last weekend’s game.
“After an analysis of all the elements, it was concluded that in none of the available media was found any proof that the player Juan Torres Ruiz (Juan Cala) insulted Mouctar Diakhaby using the alleged terms.
“All available audiovisual and digital files were analysed, including the images broadcast and spread on different social networks. To be able to complete the case, a specialised company was contracted to do lip-reading analysis of the conversations and study the behaviour of the players Juan Torres Ruiz and Mouctar Diakhaby.
“LaLiga has shared these reports with the clubs involved and the relevant authorities, so they can be used during the other investigations which are still ongoing at this moment.
“LaLiga reiterates its condemnation of racism in all its forms and maintains its commitment to a permanent fight against any manifestation in this sense, which has been shown in the many cases taken for hate crimes, including similar cases to this previously.
“From LaLiga and all clubs will continue working at all levels in every area of our sport with the goal of doing everything necessary to protect the values of equality and respect which prevail in our competition within Spanish professional football.”
Featured image credit: Getty