On August 23, at the Atlético de Madrid stadium, the fans of the red and white club sang songs that led to the opening of an investigation by the Madrid Provincial Prosecutor's Office. The shouts, which included phrases like “whore Barça” and “whore Catalonia,” were directed at the moment when Argentine striker Julián Álvarez, who has been the subject of rumors of a transfer to Barcelona, entered the field in the 66th minute. The Prosecutor's Office, through its Hate and Discrimination Crimes Section, has initiated proceedings to determine whether these chants constitute a hate crime according to article 510.1 of the Penal Code.
The complaint that gave rise to the investigation was presented in September by the Acció Cassandra association. In its petition, the organization requested that the Prosecutor's Office open an investigation and that measures be taken to identify those responsible for the chants. In addition, he requested the compilation of recordings and reports from the party, arguing that public and collective expressions directed against a group determined by their national affiliation could constitute a hate crime. Acció Cassandra also cited article 22.4 of the Penal Code, which contemplates an aggravating circumstance for discrimination when the acts are committed for reasons of national origin or belonging to a nation.
According to the association, the chants were not directed at the player's nationality, since Julián Álvarez is Argentine, but at their "explicitly Catalanophobic content", in reference to rumors of his possible signing for Barcelona. The complaint maintains that the expression of hate is directed against the Catalan national minority, which would justify the opening of the investigation. The Prosecutor's Office, after reviewing the complaint, issued a resolution on October 7 in which it decided to study the facts and open procedural proceedings.
Acció Cassandra described the decision as “a first relevant legal step”, as it confirms that the Prosecutor's Office did not file the complaint immediately and, instead, has opened a formal avenue of investigation that addresses Catalanophobia. The investigation will continue analyzing the recordings of the game and seeking to identify the individuals responsible for the chants. It is expected that the Prosecutor's Office will continue with the proceedings and, if sufficient evidence is found, it may initiate criminal proceedings against the offenders.