Players, to the locker room. This is the decision taken by Andalusian referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero, just three minutes after the end of the match between Sevilla and Real Betis, in the 87th minute.
The players left the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan locker room tunnel with a score of 0-2, after fans threw objects from the stands. They remained there for 15 minutes, as the referee decided, after speaking with members of the National Police.
Immediately afterwards, they returned to the playing field, where the derby continued until its end without further incidents and without any news on the screens. Final result: The Green Team wins with goals from Pablo Fornals (54′) and Sergi Altimira (69). For Sevilla, striker Isaac Romero (84), who came on as a substitute, was sent off.
Martinez Munuera acted in accordance with the Public Incident Action Protocol. This document includes steps to follow in the event of objects being thrown from the stands, among other incidents. In this case, the referee is the one who assesses the degree of danger.
While the players were off the field, the following message was broadcast over the Sanchez Pizjuan public address system and video scoreboards: “Sevilla FC rejects and condemns any act of violence, especially insults uttered on its stadium. Encourage and do not insult.”
The event was held at the end of the confrontation between the two Andalusian teams, within the framework of the 14th round of the Spanish League, which was held on Sunday, November 30. A type of confrontation, between two teams from the same city, usually characterized by tension between fans.
On Friday, the National Police arrested 14 people who participated in a mass brawl between Real Betis and Sevilla ultras near the stadium in Nervion. The detainees used various fire materials and blunt objects to attack each other.