The derby between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid on Sunday was suspended in the second half after fans threw missiles onto the pitch.
The game was stopped in the 69th minute at the Civitas Metropolitano just after the visitors had taken the lead through Eder Militao.
shortly after Madrid Up front, several objects, including several lighters and a plastic bag containing an unknown substance, were thrown onto the pitch behind Thibaut Courtois’ goal.
Referee Mateo Busquets decided to stop the game and ordered both sets of players to return to their dressing rooms.
some athletic players, among them Jose Maria Gimenez and Koke, went to the stands to try to reason with the supporters.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone soon followed to try and calm tensions after speaking to the referee.
The ultras behind Courtois’ goal were seen wearing sports masks to disguise their identities, and there had been talk in the Spanish press before the game of the possibility of trouble on derby day with the focus on Vinicius Junior, a who have been targeted for racial abuse in the past.
LaLiga tried to crack down on these ultras before the game, saying in a statement on Saturday: “LaLiga would like to announce that it will proceed to formally denounce and request the immediate arrest of the instigators of a hate campaign that seeks to promote racism and racism .derogatory acts in the upcoming game between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid.
“The aforementioned campaign constitutes the crime of incitement to hatred, as clearly defined by the Penal Code. LaLiga strongly condemns these actions which – directly or indirectly – promote, encourage and incite hatred against a person, in in this case, the player Vinicius Junior because of his race.
“These actions also involve the aggravating circumstances provided for in sections 3 and 4 of article 510 of the Criminal Code, since “the facts are such as to disturb the public peace”. LaLiga will not tolerate this behavior under any circumstances.”
PA announcements ordered fans to start behaving or the game could end prematurely. However, the match was able to restart at 22:45 local time.
