Atlético de Madrid denounced this Friday “the poor security operation and the chaos caused by the unacceptable behavior of some radical Athletic Club fans” before the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals in San Mamés, and condemned “the very serious attack” suffered by “a group” of his team’s supporters “in a bar near the stadium” “hours before” the match.
“Following the serious security incidents that occurred yesterday in the hours before the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final in Bilbao, the club wants to denounce the poor security operation and the chaos caused by unacceptable behavior of some radical fans of the Athletic Club, which caused high-risk situations, both for the athletic fans and for the media professionals and the security personnel of both clubs,” he said in an official statement on his website.
“Due to these incidents, the bus where our players and coaching staff were traveling was forced to alter its itinerary to the stadium, remaining inside the bus for 35 minutes, even though the concentration hotel was just 500 meters from the stadium. San Mamés,” he remarked.
Atlético, at the same time, “also condemns the very serious attack suffered by a group of Atlético de Madrid fans hours before the match, when they were in a bar near the stadium, and which caused serious injuries to an Atlético de Madrid member who had have to be transferred to a hospital”.
“The club contacted the affected person as soon as it learned his identity, to inquire about his state of health and made itself available to him. Unfortunately, this incident was not an isolated event, given that throughout the day groups of radical fans intimidated and “They threatened a multitude of Atlético de Madrid fans, even entering bars and restaurants, to identify them and intimidate them in a violent way,” he added.
Atlético will return the money to those who could not enter
“The situation led to scenes of panic that intensified at the gates of the stadium, especially at the access of the visiting fans, among whom were children and families, despite the fact that throughout the afternoon security officials from Atlético de Madrid They insistently requested help from Athletic Club and the Ertzaintza to reinforce protection measures,” he denounced.
Atlético recalled that, “during the days prior to the match, it repeatedly insisted to both Athletic Club and the Ertzaintza of the need to adequately protect both the first team and, especially,” the “partners” of the Madrid club “who “They had purchased tickets for the meeting.”
“The organizers and authorities were provided with the pertinent information in detail (list of fans, buses in which they traveled, etc.),” he added.
Atlético, “as always”, wanted to “thank” its “fans who traveled to Bilbao yesterday and who did not stop cheering and supporting the team throughout the match.”
“Atlético de Madrid will refund the amount of the tickets to members who were not able to access the interior of the stadium before the start of the match and who did not occupy their seats, in some cases, until half-time,” he explained.
“We will continue to demand wherever the team plays that our fans be treated with the respect that any spectator deserves, regardless of the team, and that security devices and adequate spaces be established so that visiting fans can enjoy the football that we want in all stadiums. It is a great responsibility and a complicated challenge that we must achieve together, with the close collaboration of clubs and authorities,” Atlético assured.
In any case, Atlético explained that “none of the regrettable incidents surrounding yesterday’s match should overshadow Athletic Club’s victory.” “We take this opportunity to congratulate him on his qualification for the Cup final. The enthusiasm of all of us who are part of the club was enormous and the elimination of our team is a great disappointment. Now, all together, we must work to achieve the rest of the objectives sports of the season,” he concluded in the statement.
2024-03-01 16:50:24
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