Busquets faces UEFA racism charge

UEFA are set to hold a disciplinary hearing investigating claims that Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets racially abused Real Madrid fullback Marcelo.

Real posted a video on their website last month allegedly showing midfielder Busquets calling Marcelo a ‘mono’ – Spanish for monkey – during Barca’s 2-0 victory in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

The video appeared on May 2, the day before a 1-1 draw in the second leg at Camp Nou, a result which sent Barca into the final with a 3-1 aggregate victory.

The Busquets case is set be heard on Sunday, with a decision due the next day.

If found guilty, the 22-year-old could be suspended for the final against Manchester United on May 28.

“UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, who is alleged to have violated article 11 of the disciplinary regulations by directing racist abuse towards a Real Madrid player in the Uefa Champions League semi-final first leg between the clubs on 27 April,” the governing body said in a statement.

“The proceedings have been launched on the basis of evidence provided by Real Madrid.The control and disciplinary body will deal with the case on 15 May and the decision will be communicated to the club on 16 May.”

The allegations of racial abuse are part of the wide-ranging fallout from an ill-tempered first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, in which Real’s Pepe was shown a red card and the home side’s coach Jose Mourinho was sent from the touchlines.

Barca had substitute Jose Pinto shown a red card for his part in a half-time fracas, despite the goalkeeper not being involved in the match itself.

Real lodged other complaints with UEFA after the game, claiming Barca were guilty of systematic simulation in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage from the referee.

Mourinho also received sanction after insinuating that UEFA were biased in Barca’s favour.