Valencia have risked opening themselves up to a backlash after claiming they investigating whether a fan who was filmed making Nazi salutes and monkey gestures was provoked by Arsenal supporters.
The Spanish clubs issued a statement on Friday to condemn the actions of those involved, who were filmed during Arsenal’s 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night in the Europa League semi-final first leg.
The club also said that is will look into whether they are members or season ticket holders and, if so, will take the “appropriate disciplinary measures” against them.
But in a three-point statement, the club also said that it will investigate whether the away supporters were provoked into making the gestures.
A Valencia statement read: “Although these attitudes are absolutely unjustifiable in any case, Valencia Football Club is trying to obtain information, in the same way, about possible provocations, prior to the said verbal and gestural confrontation, between people from the local and visitor stands.
The statement risks sending out a dangerous message that racist abuse used as a response to provocation can be used as a mitigating circumstance, especially at a time when football is under significant pressure to address the racial hatred that has tarnished the game’s reputation.
When contacted by The Independent, anti-racism group Kick It Out stressed that racist abuse that had been provoked is still racist abuse, no matter what the situation.
"Racist behaviour cannot be justified whatever the provocation,” a spokesman said.
“To suggest otherwise casts a doubt on the sincerity of calling such behaviour ‘absolutely unjustifiable’."
Valencia did say that it takes a “zero tolerance” approach against the gestures, which were filmed as supporters left the stadium following the match, and claimed that the individuals involved does not represent the wider fan base of the club.
“In relation to the images in the stands of Arsenal Stadium appearing on social networks, Valencia CF publicly condemns bluntly and expresses its firmest rejection and zero tolerance, as it has always done, towards the isolated gestures of people located in the visitor's stand and that, evidently, do not represent in any way the Valencian fans.
“In contact with its legal services, (the club) is working on identifying the responsible individuals to proceed, in case of being members of the club, to take the necessary disciplinary measures, for which we request the collaboration of the rest of the fans located in the same stadium tier.”
Arsenal also condemned the actions of the Valencia fans. The Premier League club said in a statement: “We are working with Valencia on this. We utterly condemn such behaviour. It has no place in society or football.
“We continue to encourage fans to report incidents and to provide witness statements so effective action can be taken.”
