New Delhi: It is one of La Liga’s oldest and most popular competition fixtures, as the Madrid derby has existed since the start of the 20th century. The relevance of the match can never be hyped enough. However, Sunday’s clash was one of the most chaotic games in the history of Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid’s history.
Even before the game started, tensions could be felt even before the game reached Metropolitano stadium. Fans of hosts Atletico had mentioned their intention to target Vinicius Jr with racial slurs.
In the 70th minute, the referee had to suspend the game temporarily and send the players back to the dressing room after Atletico fans became violent and threw objects targeted at Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Atletico defender Jos Mara Gimnez and their midfielder Koke Resurreccin had to pacify their supporters sitting in the section right behind Real Madrid’s goalpost, and the game resumed after 15-20 minutes.
⚠️ Simeone and Koke ask Atlético fans to stop throwing objects to Courtois… as the game has been currently suspended. pic.twitter.com/0n3deNrwln
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 29, 2024
What led to the disorder
In the 64th minute, Madrid’s centre-back Eder Militao broke the deadlock, and Courtois was seen celebrating the goal who had previously played for Atletico between 2011-14. Objects were soon targeted towards the 32-year-old shot-stopper who brought the situation to the referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer’s notice.
According to La Liga’s protocol, the disorder was addressed, and a warning was issued to suspend the game. A second announcement was made about the possibility of abandoning the game. The players were huddled in the centre of the pitch by the referee before both sides went to their respective dressing rooms.
The game resumed, and Angel Correa scored the equalizer for Atletico in the extra time to end the game at 1-1. The officials have said that those who targeted Courtois were part of a much more radical group of Atletico fans called Frente Atletico. They have been around for more than four decades and are known for their hooliganism and disruptions.
On two separate occasions, the group members have even been responsible for a fatal altercation with a rival club’s fan. A section of Atletico’s ground had to be closed in 2018 after banners containing radical remarks were exhibited. More recently, the club has decided to distance themselves from the group and stopped giving out match tickets.
Madrid’s Vinicius has been the target of most racial abuse more recently, and coming into the game, there was expectation of slurs directed at the Brazilian. So far, though, there have been no reports of any racial comments against Vinicius. The derby has been controversial more recently.
Reaction of players and managers
While condemning the actions, Atletico manager Diego Simeone felt that Courtois provoked the crowd and that he was as accountable for the chaos as the crowd. He mentioned that whilst there was no place for such hooliganism, the incident resulted from inciting by individuals, and they should be sanctioned as well.
Atletico’s captain, Koke, said that their supporters felt “provoked” but they shouldn’t have thrown objects onto the ground. Everyone who has spoken after the game has said that it wasn’t ideal that a game had to be stopped because of miscreants. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti mentioned that he felt the referee was right in stopping the game.
Of course, one wonders what punishments might be imposed once RFEF reviews the report from match referee Busquets Ferrer. The consequences could involve fines and partial or complete closure of the football stadium. Atletico have openly condemned the incident with a statement about giving full support to the local authority.
Atlético de Madrid wishes to express its rejection of the throwing of objects that took place from a section of the south stand in the 68th minute of the match vs Real Madrid. The club’s Security Department has been working with the police to locate those involved, one of whom… pic.twitter.com/bqFaRfoWhe
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 29, 2024
Everyone would feel that fanaticism has always brought disgrace and tension to any sport. Such incidents take the spotlight away from the fact that the two teams played an amazing game and soaked the pressure well.
As Atletico Madrid hosted Real Madrid for a 1-1 draw, heated scenes took the spotlight from a beautiful game of football. Here’s everything you need to know. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
