Mason Greenwood's Getafe under fire after Sevilla manager's shocking 'gypsy' claim as abhorrent racist chanting forces La Liga game to be stopped

The match had to be stopped in the second half after the home fans were heard chanting 'monkey' at Sevilla's Marcos Acuna, with supporters urged to stop the chanting by the stadium announcer. And Sevilla coach Quique Sanchez Flores - who has managed Getafe on three separate occasions - claimed that certain members of the crowd had insulted him and his staff, calling him a 'gypsy'.

Spanish football has been taking a tougher stance on racism in the aftermath of the treatment of Vinicius Junior, who was subjected to vile chanting from Valencia supporters last season. The Real Madrid forward has repeatedly spoken out against racism and last week burst into tears during a press conference as he discussed the treatment he has received from certain fans.

"I don't want people to use the word gypsy as a racist insult," Sanchez Flores said. "Some of the crowd think they can come to a game and say whatever they like. We're workers who need to be respected in the work space. I think it's abhorrent."

"We must keep asking for respect in football, people should not come to a stadium to let themselves go and say stupid things or insult players," said Sergio Ramos, who scored the only goal of the game. "We have to find these people and make an example of them, prevent them getting tickets and clean football's image. Football should unite, not divide."

Referees in La Liga are advised to stop a match whenever racist chanting is heard. Referee Javier Iglesias Villanueva wrote in his report: "In the 68th minute I had to stop the game owing to the fact that there were racist insults towards No. 19 on the visiting team. Words such as 'Acuna monkey' and 'Acuna you come from monkeys' were heard. The incident, in accordance with the protocol for cases like this, was announced on the stadium PA. The game resumed two-and-a-half minutes later and there were no more such incidents for the rest of the game."

La Liga could charge Getafe for the insults against Acuna and Sanchez Flores. The club will now await the league's weekly report on crowd trouble, where incidents of abusive behaviour and chanting are recorded. Getafe's next match is away to Rayo Vallecano on April 13.