Ruibal Calls Out Homophobic Fan at Vallecas: "Ale, homófobo!"
Betis winger Aitor Ruibal responded to a fan's nail-painting jibe during his post-match interview after a hard-fought draw against Rayo Vallecano.
Betis midfielder Aitor Ruibal wasn’t having any of it when a supporter tried to get under his skin during a post-match interview at Vallecas.
No Time for Bigotry
After a hard-fought point on the road against Rayo Vallecano, Ruibal was giving his thoughts to Movistar LaLiga’s Mónica Marchante when a voice from the stands shouted “Ruibal, píntate las uñas” (Ruibal, paint your nails). Without missing a beat, the versatile Catalan player responded with “Ale, homófobo!” before brushing it off, adding that he faces similar comments at many grounds.
It was a sharp retort from the Betis man, who clearly wasn’t going to let the Adam and Eve of it distract him from his post-match duties.
Valuable Point on the Road
As for the actual football, Ruibal was reasonably satisfied with the team’s performance, particularly from a defensive standpoint:
- Betis were looking to bounce back after a disappointing home defeat
- The draw keeps them in touch with the teams at the top of the table
- Defensively solid but struggled to create clear-cut chances
- Rayo’s intense pressing made it difficult for Betis to play out from the back
“We wanted all three points, but taking one away from home is always positive,” Ruibal explained, acknowledging that Vallecas is a notoriously difficult venue for visiting teams.
Llorente Injury Concern
The match wasn’t without its downsides for the Verdiblancos, with Ruibal expressing concern about his teammate’s injury:
- Llorente forced off during the match
- Player has struggled with injuries in recent seasons
- Ruibal hoping for a swift recovery
Looking Ahead
Ruibal also reflected on his missed opportunity to score but remained upbeat about the team’s prospects. Betis now turn their attention to a Copa del Rey fixture on Thursday before returning to La Liga action at the weekend.
The result keeps Betis in the hunt for European places, though they’ll be disappointed not to have taken all three points from a match where defensive solidity wasn’t matched by attacking prowess.