Real Madrid’s derby against Atletico Madrid was suspended on Sunday evening after home fans appeared to throw objects onto the pitch.
The huge La Liga clash was halted in the 68th minute after Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois complained about objects thrown towards him – including what some fans speculated was a bag of feces – as well as a lighter. Atletico players Jose Gimenez and Koke made their way into the crowd to plead with fans to stop before referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer then opted to take both sets of players off the field in a bizarre end to the game.
Madrid had been leading the tightly-fought game through Eder Militao’s second-half strike before the suspension – before the game resumed around 15 minutes later. The Madrid derby is known for its fierce clashes between players but also incidents between both sets of supporters – with Kylian Mbappe said to be kept away from the game amid security concerns.
- Tottenham launches investigation into own fans’ ‘abhorrent’ actions during Man Utd thrashing
- NBC pictures of Manchester United’s fans speak volumes after horror Tottenham performance
There had also been a social media campaign calling for Atletico Madrid fans to abuse Madrid forward Vinicius Jr – nearly a year after a group of supporters hung an effigy of the Brazilian from a bridge – with La Liga sending out a statement warning against discriminatory behavior.
The organization said: “La Liga wishes to announce that it will proceed to formally report and request the immediate arrest of the instigators behind a hate campaign seeking to promote racist and derogatory acts.
Atletico Madrid players were forced to remonstrate with fans after the game was halted
“The campaign constitutes the crime of incitement to hatred, as clearly defined in the Penal Code. La Liga vigorously condemns these actions that – directly or indirectly – encourage, promote, and incite hatred against an individual, in this case, the player Vinicius Jr because of his race.
“These acts not only harm the image of the sport and our country but also pose a direct threat to the integrity and wellbeing of all fans.”
Spanish football fans will remember scenes in 2000 when an array of objects – including a pig’s head – were launched at Luis Figo during an El Clasico match after his controversial decision to leave Barcelona for their bitter rivals Real Madrid. That incredible incident while Figo was taking a corner saw that game suspended before it was resumed 16 minutes later.
Leave a Reply