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Celta Fans Plan Painted-Nails Protest at Balaídos After Homophobic Abuse of Borja Iglesias

A club-backed, fan-originated gesture has drawn broad online support, with a parallel wave of homophobic replies later condemned by Celta, LaLiga, plus other football voices.

Overview

  • The plan calls for supporters to attend Sunday’s home match against Rayo Vallecano with painted nails as a visible show of solidarity with Borja Iglesias and rejection of homophobia.
  • The initiative began with the Carcamäns Celestes supporters’ group and was amplified by RC Celta through its official channels.
  • A viral video after the SevillaCelta match captured homophobic insults referencing Iglesias’s habit of painting his nails, which the striker addressed with an ironic post and photos of his painted nails.
  • Celta’s posts promoting the gesture drew a flood of offensive social media replies that mocked the campaign and targeted the club and its fans.
  • Other peñas, notably Merlegos Celestes in Santiago, organized manicure services and themed designs to encourage participation, while Celta issued a firm statement against hate and LaLiga voiced condemnation of discrimination.