JUne 29, (THEWILL) – Espanyol, a Spanish football club, have expressed strong opposition to what they deemed an “unfair and disproportionate” punishment of a two-game stadium closure imposed on them by the Competition Committee of the Spanish federation.
The penalty was in response to Espanyol fans invading the pitch and pursuing Barcelona players into the tunnel. As THEWILL reported, the incident occurred during the Spanish title-clinching match held at Espanyol’s stadium on May 14. Riot police and stewards intervened to contain the enraged Espanyol mob, who resorted to wielding chairs and launching objects from the stands. The rioting persisted even after the Barcelona players and staff were safely escorted off the field.
As tensions reached a boiling point, the tunnel became a hotspot for confrontation, where fans managed to accost several Barcelona players, including Ronald Araujo and Sergio Busquets. Heated exchanges and physical altercations ensued, but fortunately, Marcos Alonso, Ferran Torres, and other teammates swiftly stepped in to diffuse the situation and protect their aggrieved teammates.
The club released a statement stating their disagreement with the sanction and their intention to appeal the decision once it is officially announced by the Committee.
As a result of their relegation last season, Espanyol faces the possibility of playing their second division matches against Racing Santander and Amorebieta behind closed doors if their appeal is unsuccessful. The Competition Committee has yet to confirm the stadium closure, but the club considers the potential sanction to be unwarranted, unjust, and heavy-handed.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
