### Real Madrid's Raul Asencio Faces Disturbing Chants During Copa del Rey Match In a recent Copa del Rey semi-final match against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid's young defender Raul Asencio was subjected to abusive chants from the home crowd, including calls for him to "die." This incident has drawn significant attention, prompting responses from both the club's president and manager. Asencio, only 22 years old, has been affected by the hostility, which has escalated in recent weeks, culminating in this alarming episode during a high-stakes match. The situation raises concerns about player safety and the culture of fan behavior in football. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Reactions 1. **Incident Overview** - During the Copa del Rey semi-final on February 27, 2025, Asencio was targeted with "Asencio die" chants from Real Sociedad fans [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6166317/2025/02/28/raul-asencio-chants-real-madrid]. - The match was eventually stopped due to the severity of the chants, marking a significant moment in the ongoing issue of fan abuse in sports [https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/football/2025/Feb/27/asencio-affected-by-death-chants-real-madrids-ancelotti]. 2. **Reactions from Real Madrid** - Real Madrid president has publicly supported Asencio, emphasizing the need for a safe environment for players [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/real-madrid-president-offers-support-152400461.html]. - Manager Carlo Ancelotti stated that while Asencio is ready to play, such incidents should not occur, highlighting the emotional toll on the player [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/carlo-ancelotti-reacts-raul-asencio-131100164.html]. 3. **Impact on Asencio** - Ancelotti noted that Asencio was "affected" by the chants, indicating the psychological impact of such abuse on young athletes [https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/football/news/real-madrids-asencio-affected-death-chants-ancelotti-3835236]. - This incident is not isolated; Asencio has faced similar chants in previous matches, raising questions about the ongoing nature of this abuse [https://www.republicworld.com/sports/football/real-madrid-defender-raul-asencio-faces-death-chants-from-real-sociedad-fans-during-copa-del-rey-clash]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Match Details** - Date: February 27, 2025 - Event: Copa del Rey semi-final, Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad - Result: Real Madrid won 1-0 [https://tribune.com.pk/story/2531407/asencio-affected-by-death-chants-ancelotti]. - **Chant Incidents** - Chants directed at Asencio have been reported in multiple matches, but this was the first time the match was halted due to the severity of the abuse [https://apnews.com/article/raul-asencio-real-madrid-die-insults-d88ce00c9251ca2e10463b294b1826a6]. ### Conclusion and Implications **The incident involving Raul Asencio highlights a troubling trend in football regarding fan behavior and player safety.** 1. **Immediate Reactions** - Asencio's experience has prompted strong responses from both club leadership and the coaching staff, indicating a unified stance against such abuse. 2. **Long-term Considerations** - The ongoing nature of the chants suggests a need for more robust measures to protect players and address fan conduct in stadiums. 3. **Cultural Shift Required** - This situation calls for a cultural shift within football to ensure that all players can compete without fear of abuse, emphasizing the importance of respect and sportsmanship in the game. The collective response from Real Madrid and the broader football community will be crucial in addressing these issues moving forward. [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/raul-asencio-death-chants-real-sociedad-fans-copa-del-rey-semifinal-madrid-manager-carlo-ancelotti/article69269239.ece].