Among the incidents caused by groups of radical Athletic fans before and after the cup match against Atlético de Madrid, in which several people were injured, most of them supporters of the Madrid team, but also a journalist and six members of the Ertzaintza to strong reactions from Atlético, Athletic – who strongly condemned the events – and even several police unions. The most striking statement is that of the visiting club on Thursday in San Mamés, in which it criticizes the security device and announces that it will not sell tickets to Athletic fans for the league match that both teams have to play on the 33rd at the Metropolitano. Day, although the date and time are still undetermined.
Atlético points out that “the club wishes to denounce the poor security arrangements and the chaos caused by the unacceptable behavior of some radical fans of the Athletic Club”, which “has created high-risk situations for both sports fans and professionals”. the media and security staff of both clubs.”
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The operation planned by the police commanders was also criticized by the Ertzaintza union, made up of the Erne unions – the majority of the Basque police -, Esain and Sipe. In the face of a high-risk game.” According to the headquarters, “the mobile brigade did not have its full strength , as there were response teams that were not mobilized and remained on standby without attending to the incidents while the active teams were overwhelmed.”
They also blame the radicals who caused the riots: “The irresponsibility was committed by some sheep disguised as Athletic fans.” Rabble of the same caliber, disguised as Royal Society supporters, did the same. The result in San Sebastián: two injured Ertzainas. The result of Bilbao, three injured Ertzainas” [que finalmente fueron seis].
Atlético said their bus was detained by security forces for more than half an hour. Then he took a strange route to get onto the field late. The Athletic team was also led down an unusual path. Instead of taking the Gran Vía from the Hotel Carlton, which is 700 meters from the field, runs almost in a straight line and was closed to buses, causing major traffic jams on the adjacent streets, he changed his route. The Home Office had banned the reception of fans on this street, and in fact – in the rain – only occasional pedestrians used the sidewalks on the way to the pitch or entering and leaving shops. However, the bus didn't pass there.
It wasn't easy for the journalists either, they had to wait half an hour until the Ertzaintza was allowed to pass through Calle Rafael Moreno “Pichichi”, which borders San Mamés and at the back of which is the accreditation cash desk. . The esplanade between the field and the engineering school was open, but until the agents received the order to withdraw, they did not allow them to pass.
One of the most serious incidents occurred at the popular Farketa restaurant on Rodríguez Arias Street. As the owner, Juan Carlos Gómez, explained to EL PAÍS, a group of Atlético de Madrid fans who had been in the facility for some time were attacked by Athletic radicals, some of them wearing masks. One fan sustained a head injury and had to be evacuated to hospital, where he was released hours later. “Some were in the dining room; others ate pinchos at the bar but didn’t even drink alcohol, just soft drinks,” he says. “They were there for several hours because it was raining and it was unpleasant on the street, and one of the radicals saw them from outside and notified others by phone,” says the owner of the restaurant. “They broke in and started hitting the Atlético fans, throwing chairs and causing various damage. The fans went to the back in fear. We called the Ertzaintza, but they didn't come until half an hour later. “They were very scared.”
Juan Carlos Gómez points out that “the injured man was bleeding profusely, he was a small boy.” The police officers looked at the images from the site's surveillance camera and identified some of those responsible for the destruction. “They knew them perfectly, they knew their names and even their addresses, so they are not new to this matter,” and he concludes: “It is incredible that something like this happens, I am a member of Athletic, I have “I'm planning to go to Seville.” and I consider myself a normal person, like those who were in the restaurant. “I don’t want to experience something like that.”
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