Diego Simeone Demands Punishment for Atletico Madrid Fans and Players After Pitch Invasion During Derby Against Real Madrid
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
5 minutes read. Updated 4:34PM GMT Mon, 30 September, 2024
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has called for severe sanctions on both fans and players responsible for inciting violence during football matches. Simeone’s comments come after a heated city derby between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, which was interrupted for over 20 minutes when fans hurled objects onto the pitch.
The incident occurred during Sunday’s La Liga match at the Metropolitano Stadium. Atletico fans, mainly from the ultras group Fondo Sur, threw objects, including lighters, at Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as he celebrated Eder Militao’s opening goal in the 64th minute. Courtois immediately notified the referee, prompting an official halt to the game.
Fan Violence Forces Match Suspension
The match was halted around the 70th minute, with the referee sending players from both teams to the dressing rooms. A stadium announcement informed the spectators that the game was temporarily suspended, warning that further disruptions would lead to the match being abandoned. After the lengthy delay, Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa managed to equalize during stoppage time, and the match concluded with a 1-1 draw.
Speaking to DAZN Sport, Simeone expressed his dismay at the behavior of the fans, as well as the players’ actions that may have provoked the outburst.
“My opinion is that people who have committed incidents should be sanctioned by the club. We don’t need these people. We need the people who accompany and support us,” Simeone remarked. “They harm the club, but be careful: that does not justify generating situations that we, the protagonists, generate.”
Simeone Calls for Accountability on Both Sides
Atletico’s manager emphasized that while fans must be held accountable for their actions, players should also be mindful of how their behavior can incite violence in the stands. He referenced how celebrations aimed directly at the opposing team’s supporters can fuel aggressive responses from fans.
“The people who have thrown those lighters, it’s not right. But maybe it doesn’t help when we, the protagonists, provoke people and then they get angry,” Simeone explained. “Of course it’s not justified, but neither is the initial thing justified. The one who throws the cigarette lighter should be sanctioned, and the one who provokes should also be sanctioned.”
Simeone’s comments underline a growing concern in Spanish football over escalating fan violence and the role of players in inciting such behavior.
Atletico Madrid Takes Action
In the early hours of Monday, Atletico Madrid released an official statement condemning the actions of the fans responsible for the disruptions. The club has already identified one of the individuals involved and is working closely with police to identify others.
“Atletico de Madrid wishes to express their rejection of the throwing of objects from a section of the south stand in the 68th minute of the match against Real Madrid. The club’s security department has been working together with the police to locate those involved, one of whom has already been identified,” the statement read.
The club also stated that severe disciplinary measures would be applied to those involved, underlining that such behavior tarnishes the image of the stadium and the club.
La Liga’s Broader Concerns with Racism
The incident comes just a day after La Liga announced that it would collaborate with authorities to take action against a social media campaign encouraging racist behavior directed at Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior. The campaign, which used a hashtag encouraging Atletico fans to wear face masks to evade identification, has been condemned by the league.
Atletico fans were seen chanting “Vinicius is different” before the derby, further igniting concerns over racism in Spanish football. La Liga has vowed to continue cracking down on such incidents to preserve the integrity of the sport.
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Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone calls for harsh sanctions on fans and players responsible for inciting violence after fan disruptions during their La Liga derby against Real Madrid led to a 20-minute match suspension.
