By Alfredo Di Cesare
03 Oct 2024, 11:40 AM EDT
At the end of the day on Wednesday, it was learned that Atlético de Madrid was sanctioned for the attack on Thibaut Courtois in the last derby against Real Madrid. The Competition Committee of the Spanish Football Federation determined two specific sanctions.
Atlético de Madrid must pay a fine of $50,000 dollars as punishment for the attacks by fans from the south end of the Madrid goalkeeper. Secondly, that area of the stadium will be closed for three games.
That is, the colchoneros will not have fans in the southern area of the Cívitas Metropolitano. It was in that sector where Courtois was attacked and where the team’s most radical supporters historically position themselves.
The punishment was determined thanks to the report of referee Busquets Ferrer, who documented incidents that occurred during the recent Madrid derby.
The sanction will affect the matches against Leganés, Las Palmas and Alavés, which will be played without fans in that area of the stadium. In these types of cases, the decision is usually followed. However, Atlético de Madrid has the possibility of appealing it before the Appeal Committee.
What happened?
According to the referee’s report, in the 64th minute three lighters and a bottle of water were thrown from the lower part of the south end. The protocol was complied with, as the whistler sent a warning via public address system.
When the throwing of objects did not stop, Ferrer stopped the match for almost 20 minutes. The players went to the locker room and came out shortly after to continue with the match.
It is the first time this season that Atlético de Madrid has been involved in problems because of its most radical fans. However, there is already recent precedent. The previous season, the southern club was closed for two games due to racist chants against Nico Williams, a player for Athletic Club de Bilbao.
Although the sanction was later rescinded thanks to the fact that the justice system, in collaboration with the Madrid club, identified the person responsible.
Keep reading:
· Atleti “permanently” expelled a fan who threw objects
· Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid fans almost come to blows over alleged racism [VIDEO]
· Atlético de Madrid fans will not be able to enter the stadium with their faces covered.