Atlético Madrid Faces Sanction for Object Throwing Incident During Derby
The red-and-white club faces a severe sanction following the events that took place at their stadium during the derby against Real Madrid.
The Cívitas Metropolitano stadium is facing the possible partial closure of its south stand due to the object-throwing incident that led to the suspension of the derby between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid for about 20 minutes, depending on the interpretation of the events by the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
In the match report, referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer stated that "in the 64th minute, several objects were thrown from the lower south stand toward the area where the visiting goalkeeper (Thibaut Courtois) was positioned, though none made contact."
"Among these, three lighters and a water bottle were identified. In response to this, the protocol for object-throwing was activated, and the stadium delegate was requested to issue a message over the loudspeakers to stop the throwing," the report continued.
"Finally, in the 67th minute, after the continued throwing of objects from the same area, the match was temporarily suspended, and the teams were ordered to return to the locker rooms," the referee added. The report also noted that "the match resumed without further incidents."
Article 15 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code outlines the "responsibility of clubs" in such incidents.
"When, during a match, order is disrupted, or the physical integrity of referees, players, coaches, or other individuals is compromised or endangered; material damage or injuries are caused; the pitch is invaded; violent, racist, xenophobic, or intolerant symbols, chants, or insults are displayed or uttered; or the normal flow of the game is severely disrupted, the organizing club will be held responsible unless it can prove that it diligently fulfilled its obligations and took the necessary preventative measures required by sports legislation to avoid or mitigate such events," the article explains.
It further states that the severity of the incidents will be determined by factors such as the occurrence of injuries, the apparent risk involved, the impact on the game, the existence or absence of previous incidents, the number of individuals involved, and other circumstances that the disciplinary body deems relevant.
Article 107, referring to the "disruption of order during a match of a serious nature," states: "When, during a match, events defined by Article 15 occur and are deemed serious according to the criteria set out in Section 2, and it is the first such incident of the season, the responsible club will be fined up to €6,000 and subjected to a partial stadium closure for one match, with a warning of a full stadium closure in the event of repeat offenses."
The code also explains, "The sanction of partial stadium closure will be enforced by holding the match or matches in question with the designated section (sector, etc.) of the stadium closed to the public. In this case, the sanctioned club may not relocate the spectators who normally occupy those areas."
At the end of the match, Atlético Madrid announced that its security department "is working with the police to identify those involved, one of whom has already been identified."
"The club will apply its internal regulations for serious offenses to those involved in this incident," the club added.
Atlético also emphasized that "such behavior has no place in football and tarnishes the image of a stadium that hosted a spectacular atmosphere with more than 70,000 spectators, the vast majority of whom displayed exemplary behavior."