La Liga president questions Alejandro Balde racism amid anti-ultras efforts

La Liga President Javier Tebas has announced efforts to dissolve the far-right ultra group 'Frente Atletico', which has been involved in incidents of racial abuse and fan violence. Despite previous arrests, the group remains a challenge for Atletico Madrid, prompting La Liga to seek legal measures for their illegalization. Tebas emphasized the need for improved monitoring and has reported over 560 racist incidents in the last decade but questioned the validity of a recent claim by Barcelona defender Alejandro Balde regarding racial abuse he faced during a match against Getafe. Balde, who confirmed he was targeted, urged against generalizing the issue to all of Spanish football and expressed pride in his identity. His comments highlight the ongoing struggle against racism in football, while Tebas's response has drawn criticism for appearing dismissive of Balde's experience. The situation reflects a broader tension within La Liga as it grapples with its reputation on racism and fan violence.