Atlético Madrid: Request for complete stadium closure after derby events
The Anti-Violence Commission met with the Secretary of State for Sport to request the closure of Atlético de Madrid’s stadium due to objects being thrown at Courtois
Atlético Madrid could have the Wanda Metropolitano closed for 15 days due to the violence that occurred during the Madrid derby against Real Madrid .
The request was made by the Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport, in a meeting with the Secretary of State for Sport, on September 30th, and was motivated by the behavior of the Colchoneros fans after Courtois celebrated the goal scored by his teammate Éder Militão , which led to the match being interrupted for 20 minutes. A fine of 65 thousand euros is also being requested.
In addition to throwing lighters and various other objects at the Belgian goalkeeper, this commission reports that several fans went to the stadium with knives and Nazi-themed items, also highlighting that there were serious security failures in the scorching match on September 29th.
“Under no circumstances is it acceptable to normalise behaviour that is far from good public practice, and the collaboration of all those present is necessary to maintain football as a safe sporting spectacle. Sport must be a space of coexistence and respect, where all fans support their teams with passion, but always respecting the rules of civility and safety”, can be read in the Commission’s statement, which calls for the punishment to be taken as an example for future practices.
It should be remembered that Atlético Madrid has already been punished with the partial closure of the lower south part of the Wanda Metropolitano for the next two games and the payment of a fine of 45 thousand euros.
Four people responsible for throwing lighters at Courtois have been expelled from membership by Atlético Madrid.
