Atlético Madrid reduces Metropolitano closure to one match
Atlético Madrid has managed to reduce the sanction imposed by the Competition Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following the incidents in the Madrid derby against Real Madrid.
The initial sanction consisted of the partial closure of the Metropolitano’s south stand for three matches, but after the club’s appeal, it will only be closed for one game. Atlético argued that the sanction was ‘disproportionate’ and the Committee has partially upheld its claim.
In addition to the partial closure of the stadium, the club will have to pay a fine of 3,000 euros, instead of the 45,000 euros initially requested.
Atlético defended in its appeal that it had adopted additional preventive measures to avoid incidents during the match and that it had been proactive in condemning what had happened, actively collaborating with the security forces to identify those responsible. The club also requested that the sanction be limited to the area where the launches occurred, as the partial closure of the stadium affects sectors 127 to 133, a ‘disproportionate’ measure because the incidents were caused by a small group.
