Former Cameroon and Arsenal defender Lauren has urged Spanish authorities to do more to stop racism in football, saying the current system “allows it to happen”. <\/span><\/p>\n “I grew up here in Spain and we all know there are Nazi people in the crowds,” said the two-time Premier League winner who also won two Africa Cup of Nations.<\/span><\/p>\n “Supporters of Real Madrid, the Ultra Surs, Boixos Nois Barcelona, Frente Atletico Madrid, United Family Real Betis, Valencia’s Ultras Yomus, Blanquiazules Brigades Espanyol – they are all Nazis. <\/span><\/p>\n “They are always there at the stadium every single week since I was a kid. The Spanish authorities do nothing about them. <\/span><\/p>\n “They allow them to even go to the training ground to put pressure on the players and that’s why I am saying it’s the system that allows this (racism) to happen.”<\/span><\/p>\n Last week, the Spanish league, La Liga, <\/span>said it was seeking more powers to allow it to punish fans for racism.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n But Lauren, who grew up in Spain’s Andalusia region, said there are other ways of dealing with the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n “The only (club) president who said ‘I don’t want any more Ultra Sur supporters at Real Madrid’ has been Florentino Perez. He’s the only president who said ‘I don’t want far-right people in my stadium.’ <\/span><\/p>\n “The rest of the presidents don’t do anything at all,” added the 46-year-old, who regards the situation as even worse in the lower leagues where such incidents don’t create headlines.<\/span><\/p>\n “This is the reality here in Spain…in La Liga, in the second division, the third division. Vinicius makes it bigger because he plays for Real Madrid.”<\/span><\/p>\n Lauren highlighted several other high-profile players who have faced racism in the past, with their cases remaining largely unresolved.<\/span><\/p>\n “Twenty years ago, it happened with Samuel Eto’o and nothing happened. Dani Alves with Barcelona when they threw bananas and nothing happened.” <\/span><\/p>\n After the abuse Vinicius Jr suffered at Valencia, the 22-year-old Real Madrid star said on social media that “in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.”<\/span><\/p>\n But Lauren, who moved to Spain from Equatorial Guinea as a child, does not agree.<\/span><\/p>\n “Spain is not a racist country,” he stated.<\/span><\/p>\n “I grew up here in Spain. My wife is Spanish, half of my family is Spanish and the other half is African, so I know what I am talking about.”<\/span><\/p>\n The insults aimed at Vinicius Jr have triggered a fierce debate about whether Spanish society has a racism problem. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"Vinicius](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/1F04\/production\/_129904970_b457d75cf311da1638555b645c96e725c35d54a9.jpg\")
<\/span><\/span>Spain ‘not a racist country’<\/h3>\n