RACISM IN SOCCER

Fan who threw banana at Barcelona’s Dani Alves arrested

Villarreal had already withdrawn man's club membership for life in wake of racist gesture

A screen grab of Alves eating the banana thrown during Sunday's match.

The National Police on Tuesday arrested the person allegedly responsible for throwing a banana at Barcelona soccer player Dani Alves during the team’s match at Villarreal on Sunday, police sources have told Europa Press.

David Campayo Lleo, 26, was summoned to National Police headquarters in Villarreal, Castellón province, at 7.15pm where he was arrested on charges of violating fundamental rights and public liberties laid down in the penal code.

After identifying the suspected culprit, Villarreal had already taken the decision to revoke his club membership and ban him from the stadium for the alleged action, which carries racist connotations.

Since the incident, numerous soccer stars have come out in support of Alves, posting pictures of themselves on the social networks mimicking Alves' action of eating the thrown banana.

More information