Andres Iniesta: Neymar a target of racist chants from Espanyol fan

Barcelona superstar Neymar was subjected to racist chants from a member of the Espanyol crowd during Saturday's goalless draw, according to teammate Andres Iniesta.

"In one corner, in the first half, from one supporter," Iniesta said of when and where he heard the hateful remarks, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Neither Barcelona manager Luis Enrique nor defender Gerard Pique claimed to have heard the abuse, but the latter called for punishment to be handed out if the responsible parties could be identified.

"If that happened, obviously they should be charged and the correct measures taken," Pique said, as translated by ESPN FC. "Those who did it are responsible, not the Espanyol fans (in general). They should be identified and singled out one by one."

Former Barcelona vice president Toni Freixa said he hoped referee Jose Luis Gonzalez Gonzalez would document the issue, but the official match report filed by Gonzalez Gonzalez makes no mention of any chanting from the stands.

Racism has long plagued European football, with Barcelona and its players no strangers to being targets of discriminatory abuse from rival fans.

During a match between the Blaugrana and Villarreal in May of 2014, right-back Dani Alves had a banana thrown at him - which he promptly unpeeled and ate. Villarreal was fined €12,000, and the individual responsible was banned for life from the El Madrigal.