Spanish Sports Minister wants ‘forceful response’ after Madrid derby crowd incidents

MADRID, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) — Spain’s Minister for Education, Professional Training and Sports, Pilar Alegria, said on Tuesday that the government will act forcefully to punish those behind the shameful incidents in Sunday’s La Liga match between Atletico and Real Madrid.
The game at Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium had to be halted by the referee for 15 minutes after members of Atletico’s ‘Frente Atletico’ ultra group hurled objects, including cigarette lighter and plastic bottles at Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after Eder Militao had put Real Madrid ahead in a match that ended 1-1.
The Spanish Football Federation will meet on Wednesday to discuss a sanction, with possible punishments ranging from a fine for Atletico, to a partial or full closure of their ground.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Alegria made it clear there would “be an absolutely forceful response once the details given to us by the security forces and bodies are known.”
The Madrid derby is one of the most important games of the year in Spain and the actions of the Frente Atletico were viewed by a worldwide TV audience, with Alegria stressing the events, which she described as “totally contrary to the values of sport,” damaged “the magnificent image of Spanish football and its fans.”
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has been criticized after he implied that Courtois was to blame for provoking the home support.
“We need to be careful with playing the victim: you see clearly that Courtois went towards the fans and laughing, and that makes this happen too,” said Simeone after the game. ■