Fence collapses at Spanish league game injuring 68 fans

Sixty-eight supporters were injured when a fence collapsed at Osasuna’s El Sadar stadium during their Primera Division meeting with Real Betis yesterday.

The match was suspended for more than 35 minutes after the fence between the pitch and the south grandstand gave way shortly after Oriol Riera scored for Osasuna in the 12th minute.

Officials immediately called a halt to the match while those caught up in the collapse were carried to safety.

Osasuna confirmed the Navarra Red Cross had taken 10 people away on stretchers, including a 66-year-old man with a broken leg.

The other nine were aged between 16 and 40 and included eight men and two women. The 58 others hurt all suffered minor injuries.

Fans were asked to move away from the affected area while repairs were made, with Osasuna defender Francisco Punal approaching the stand personally to encourage further collaboration.

The decision was made to restart and Osasuna ended up winning 2-1, but they were still relegated from the top flight.