A FOOTBALL FAN has died of cardiac arrest following clashes near Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon stadium today, a hospital spokeswoman said.
The La Liga game between Spanish champions Atleti and Deportivo at the Vicente Calderon went ahead despite numerous reports of violence outside the stadium. The incident result in one supporters’ death while 11 others were injured.
“He died a few minutes ago. He did not survive the cardiac arrest and died in the intensive care unit,” a spokeswoman for Madrid’s Hospital Clinic told AFP.
Atletico Madrid published a statement on their website condemning the violence and the LFP (National Professional Football League) has echoed those sentiments while revealing that it failed in its attempts to stop the fixture from going ahead.
A statement on the LFP website read: “The Professional Football League shows its repudiation at the incidents in Sunday morning in the vicinity of the Vicente Calderon Stadium before the match for Week 13 between Atletico de Madrid and RC Deportivo La Coruna.
“The LFP has been firm in its intention to suspend the match and [this] has not been possible. The institution is working with Aficiones Unidas [a non-profit organistation representing football fans], the National Police and all clubs to end the violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in professional football.”
The home side went on to beat Deportivo 2-0 through goals from Saul and Arda Turan.
Additional reporting from © AFP 2014
