Dani Alves claims war versus racism lost

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)

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Barcelona defender Dani Alves says the fight to eliminate racism from soccer stadiums is ''a lost war'' after he was the target of racist chants during Wednesday's game at Real Madrid.

The Brazil right back says ''it hasn't only happened in the (Santiago) Bernabeu, but rather in all the stadiums we visit.''

Segments of Madrid fans jeered Alves with chants supposed to imitate monkey calls during the 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal.

Alves calls for ''drastic measures'' including sanctions against clubs, and says Spain should look to English soccer for an example to follow.

The Brazilian defender took to Twitter to vent his anger: "Great work from my team, a pity [about] the result and even bigger pity still the racists you find in some places," he tweeted. "But I am happy as I am. Thanks."

It remains to be seen if Real Madrid fans will be punished for the archaic behavior of a small group of their fans.

Although considering how entrenched prejudice appears to be in certain segments of Spanish culture, a censure of the country’s football champions hardly seems likely.