Unpleasant experience – Dudu Awat
Photo: Yossi Rot
Spanish soccer fans: Death to Sharon
Fans in Spain taunt Israeli goalie Dudu Awat, chant 'Death to Sharon' during match; Awat: Part of my heart was with Sharon during game
Spanish hatred: Israeli goaltender Dudu Awat experienced some difficult moments during a Spanish soccer league match between his team, Racing Santander, and home team Osasuna, after fans chanted anti-Sharon slogans during the match and called for the prime minister's death.
Osasuna fans, who are Basque, are known for their racist chants, and during the match against Santander focused their fury at the Israeli goalie. Spanish websites and journalists who covered the game reported that a large group of fans gathered behind Awat holding Palestinian flags and anti-Israel signs.
Some of the chants uttered by the fans included "Death to Sharon" and "We wish Sharon dies."
'Difficult for us even here in Spain'
Awat was later asked about the incident and responded: "I don't want to address those things. They're improper."
"Even during the match my and my family's heart was with Sharon all the time," Awat added. "Those are difficult days for the country and I wish him a speedy recovery. It's difficult for us even here in Spain. We're following it on the Internet and hoping for the best."
The match itself ended in a 1-1 draw, marking the first time this season Osasuna failed to win at home.
