A Spanish lower-league football president has resigned after footage emerged showing him chasing Muslim players while carrying pork products, triggering widespread outrage across Spanish football.
The incident involves Javi Poves, president of Spanish fourth-tier side CDC Moscardó, who has stepped down following intense backlash over the video.
The clip, widely circulated online, shows Poves running after several Muslim players while holding a leg of pork and shouting remarks linked to eating pork.
The footage was initially shared on social media by Poves himself before being deleted after public criticism escalated.
The video quickly spread across social media platforms, prompting accusations of religious insensitivity and discrimination.
Observers and fans described the act as humiliating, arguing it targeted players because of their Islamic faith.
Spanish media reports said the stunt was presented internally as a promotional joke linked to matchday giveaways, but it was widely condemned once published.
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Critics argued the behaviour crossed a clear line in a country already dealing with multiple football-related racism controversies in recent weeks.
Under mounting pressure, Poves resigned from his position as club president, though reports suggest he may remain involved in a reduced capacity.
He later defended the incident as a misunderstanding and claimed it was intended as humour rather than offence. However, the explanation failed to calm criticism, with many calling for stronger action from football authorities.
The Spanish football federation has yet to publicly detail any disciplinary measures, despite growing demands for investigation.
The controversy adds to a growing list of incidents in Spanish football involving discrimination concerns, putting further scrutiny on lower-league governance and conduct standards.
Poves is already a controversial figure in Spanish football, previously linked with unusual publicity stunts and outspoken views during his time in charge.
His leadership style has often drawn attention beyond sport, with critics arguing he blurs the line between promotion and provocation.
Javi Poves has repeatedly used provocative online content to promote CDC Moscardó.
That includes posting deliberately controversial clips and statements designed to go viral and provoke the internet.
