2023-05-15 11:28:17
BarcelonaThe incidents at the end of the derby between Espanyol and Barça can be very expensive for the white-and-blue club, which is exposed to a sanction that can range from a simple financial fine to the complete closure of the RCDE Stadium during several matches. At the moment, the League has already spoken and has asked, as a first measure, to identify the people who jumped on the grass so that they cannot re-enter a sports venue. Antiviolence is expected to make a decision about it this week.
Field invasion at the RCDE Stadium after the Espanyol-Barça derby
The images went around the world. The fans were mostly in sectors 109 and 110, those in the entertainment stand, where the Canito Stand, the RCDE Curve and the Penya Juvenil 1991 are located. At first they forced the Barça players to withdraw -se in the changing room tunnel. And, subsequently, they approached it with the intention of entering the area of the Blaugrana footballers. Between the club’s security agents and the Mossos they made a security cordon. The events ended with destruction and the throwing of objects, while everyone was asked to leave the field and go home over the public address system.
Both Espanyol and the Mossos are investigating the facts to find out why the violent broke the security device. According to police sources consulted by this newspaper, the invasion of the pitch was already a scenario that the Mossos were foreseeing if Barça ended up winning the title -among other possible riots-. That is why they advised that “the most convenient thing for all purposes” was that, in the event of victory, the Blaugrana players should not extend the celebration on the grass. A recommendation that was remembered before the game and at halftime. In this last point, the police do not assess whether the time the footballers spent on the field was excessive or not. In turn, Espanyol sources justify that they applied the security device they had agreed with the Mossos.
Espanyol condemns the events
At the moment, the only one who has spoken on behalf of Espanyol has been Mao Ye: “We apologize to the world of football. We will work so that this does not happen again”, said the CEO of Espanyol just yesterday. “We are strict in security measures. We must review the deficiencies that may have existed”, he added. The club, aware of the seriousness of the events, is forceful in public and works behind the scenes to avoid an exemplary sanction. Internally, he has already made it known that he will expel from partners those he can identify and involve in the riots.
On the pitch, one of those who tried to calm spirits was Alberto Ariza, responsible for Espanyol’s social area. A figure who, in the last decade, has tried unsuccessfully to reconcile the members of the Curva and Juvenil. His task was also to remove former members of the Blanquiazules Brigades from the cheering stand, although he has not been able to do it completely.
So far there have been no arrests, according to police sources, but they are using security cameras to identify those who jumped. One of them was Yago Darnell, number 9 on the PP list in Sant Joan Despí, who also threw a television camera to the ground. This Monday he formally resigned from the elections, after his party asked him to do so.
There are four league games left and Espanyol, who will need to win all the games to save themselves, play two at home. Now it will be the turn of Antiviolence, which will examine the case. A possible punishment would be to close the part of the bleachers occupied by the entertainment groups. Whatever it is, internally they have their necks down that the consequences will be quite serious. The decision will be made this week, possibly on Wednesday.
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