Film footage of an Atletico Madrid fan being kicked and beaten with a stick by Sevilla supporters prior to last weekend’s league match has increased fears about the level of violence in Spanish football.
The images, taken on a mobile phone and published online, show the fan being attacked as he lay bleeding on the ground outside Sevilla’s Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.
Spanish media reported that a Sevilla fan was also attacked and stabbed in the leg before the match, although local police said they had no knowledge of the incident.
“They are deplorable incidents that have no place in football and should not be allowed to be repeated,” Atletico defender Pablo Ibanez told a news conference.
Violence at Spanish football has increased in recent seasons with clashes between rival fans and the police.
Earlier this month, Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Armando had to undergo treatment for a cut on his face after being hit by a bottle thrown from the stands by a Real Betis fan.
