Spanish FA to consider banning 'ultra' supporters

Spanish football is proposing a stadium ban on all radical supporter groups, known as ultras, after violent clashes on Sunday led to the death of a Deportivo La Coruna fan.

Francisco Javier Romero Taboada died after trouble erupted between rival groups in the streets surrounding the Vicente Calderon stadium ahead of Atletico Madrid’s midday kick-off against visiting Depor.

The 43-year-old died in hospital on Sunday afternoon after firefighters pulled him out of the Manzanares river near Atletico’s home ground, while 12 more people were reported injured – some including stab wounds – during the fighting which was said to have involved around 200 people.

There have now been more than 10 deaths related to crowd trouble in Spain since 1982 and inquests have already begun into the latest incident, which has seen 21 people detained so far, as the authorities in Spain seek answers and solutions.

Among those possible solutions – put forward by the clubs – are banning ultras from ground and a partial closure of stands.

Following an emergency meeting of the Anti-Violence Commission on Monday, Secretary of State for Sport Miguel Cardenal, speaking at a press conference, was quoted as saying by AS: “There is going to be a before and an after in football and it will be apparent soon.

“It has been proposed that we draw up a list of all of the ultra groups to expel them from stadiums and to set out a time frame to do so.

“The proposals that have been put forward have come from the clubs and they are under no doubt that they will achieve this. It is a path that some clubs have already taken and this commitment is full and conclusive and I am convinced it will be effective.

“There are many criminal databases but we are talking about creating an official list upon which these measures will be taken.”

Cardenal also confirmed that a meeting between Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and Professional Football League (LFP) officials will take place on Thursday while a request for an urgent hearing in the Spanish parliament has been made, as the authorities look to “eliminate these radical and violent people who have no place in football and try to pass as fans”.

Romero Taboada was alive when he was pulled from the water but died in hospital having suffered a cardiac arrest, hypothermia and head injuries.

Depor players held a minute’s silence during their training session on Monday morning to show their condolences and support for the family of the 43-year-old, while there was been widespread condemnation of the trouble – which reportedly involved ultras from Deportivo, Atletico and locally-based clubs Rayo Vallecano and Alcorcon.

When asked about the issue on Monday morning, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti used England as an example of how to combat hooliganism.

The former Chelsea boss said: “It’s a sad day. Everybody who works in football hopes that this never happens.

“It’s clear that the whole footballing world has to work to prevent this in the future.

“I have experience in England and I think they have done many things and done very well to eliminate this scourge.

“They had a terrible experience with hooligans, they did an incredible job in dealing with the problems. In Spain they have to do the same to get rid of this plague.”

Ancelotti, who spent two years in charge at Stamford Bridge from 2011, added: “In England there’s not violence in the stadiums, there’s not police around the stadium before the game, there are kids at the games....

“In England I never received an insult. Here, around 15-20 days ago, a guy was insulting me throughout the game from behind the bench. It’s a question of culture as well, we are Latin. About the culture, I speak as an Italian, not as a Spaniard, and I think we can improve a lot.”

There was also an unsavoury crowd incident during Barcelona’s match at Valencia on Sunday night, where Lionel Messi was struck on the head by a water bottle thrown from the stands as he celebrated his side’s late winner.

Messi walked off the pitch rubbing his head while also giving a thumbs up following the 1-0 victory at the Mestalla.

Valencia confirmed on Monday morning they intend to issue a lifetime stadium ban to the person responsible for throwing the bottle – who is yet to be identified.