MADRID — Spanish police said Wednesday they have laid criminal charges against a football fan for throwing a banana at Barcelona defender Dani Alves, a slur that has sparked a global storm of anti-racist protest. The Spanish authorities arrested the young man Tuesday, two days after the ugly incident put racism in Spanish football under a harsh spotlight, unleashing condemnation worldwide including from Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and FIFA president Sepp Blatter. The suspect, who has been named and pilloried on social media but has not been identified by the authorities, was charged on the same day with an offense against civil rights and liberties before being released, a police spokeswoman said. If found guilty, he could face a sentence of up to three years in prison.The banana landed on the pitch near the 30-year-old Brazilian international as he was about to take a corner during Barcelona's away match against Villareal Sunday night. Alves won praise for his reaction, picking up the banana to take a bite before getting on with the game and setting up a goal in Barcelona's dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 victory. Villarreal condemned the incident and said it had identified the culprit, withdrawing his club membership and permanently banning him from its ground. “The player Dani Alves gave a daring and strong response to racism in sports,” Brazil's leader said in a series of Twitter messages after the match. Blatter also reacted on Twitter, saying: “What @DaniAlves2 tolerated last night is an outrage. We must fight all forms of discrimination united. Will be zero tolerance at #World Cup.” The FIFA boss spread his anti-racism message Wednesday to the United States after the NBA banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life for racist comments. “Sport says no to racism. I fully support @NBA's decision to ban @LAClippers owner for life after his racist words,” Blatter said. Much of the football world stood behind Alves. Outraged at his teammate's treatment, Neymar posted on Twitter with the hashtag #somostodosmacacos, (we are all monkeys). He then sent a photo showing him eating a banana holding his two-year-old son, who was clutching a banana-shaped soft toy. Chelsea's Brazilian stars Oscar, David Luiz and Willian also posted to social media while Manchester City's Argentinian star Sergio Aguero tweeted a picture of himself and Brazilian five-time world female player of the year Marta both eating a banana. Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said Tuesday he regretted that some people had used football to launch a racist message. Wigan earns playoff Wigan Athletic secured a place in the English Championship (second tier) playoffs with a 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Birmingham City Tuesday, fuelling its hopes of an immediate return to the Premier League. A third-minute goal from Callum McManaman was enough to wrap up victory and move Wigan up to fifth on 73 points, four clear of playoff-chasing Brighton in seventh, with one game of the season remaining. — Agencies
