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Real Madrid set to ban 17 supporters over offensive Barcelona chants

Real Madrid intend to withdraw the season tickets belonging to 17 fans involved in insulting chants about Barcelona and Lionel Messi during the home win over Celta Vigo.

Officials will recommend to the disciplinary board that the fans are banned from entering the stadium and the club, Spanish radio station Cope, quoted by AS, reported.

Real are examining CCTV footage taken in the area of the South Stand where the chants are believed to have started.

They have issued a reminder to the 1,500 members of the Grada Joven area of the stand to consider the way in which they lend support to the team.

Real's move to ban the 17 supporters comes after Spanish football officials launched a crackdown on verbal abuse during football matches, making them a punishable offence.

AS reported that the Spanish Professional Football League (LFP) was preparing to submit a formal complaint to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Competitions Committee about the offensive chanting during the match at the Bernabeu, which was not mentioned in the referee's report.

Reuters quoted LFP president Javier Tabas as telling Spanish radio station Cadena Ser: "Our qualitative step forward or new commitment is that if the referee does not hear it we will draw attention to it.

"There were insults and unacceptable chants at the Bernabeu, so I gave the order to report them.

"I made a mistake in not seeing this as a problem in football, and I won't make it again. We have fattened up a monster which must be banished. We have taken this decision, and we will continue down the same path."

But asked for his thoughts about the chanting, Barcelona coach Jose Enrique said it was difficult to try and control such situations.

"I back any anti-violence measures, but if we start expelling people from stadiums for insults, there will not be many left, including players," he added.

"I've been going to games since I was eight years old -- there are insults in all stadiums. I do not know where we can draw the line.

"We must try and control all the negative things, any violent acts, but we are talking about the culture of the country. I would be delighted if there were no more insults, but we are passionate people, enthusiastic."