Spain considers ban on 'ultras' after death of Deportivo la Coruna fan
Monday 1 December 2014 19:44, UK
Spanish football is considering a stadium ban on all radical supporter groups, known as ultras, after violent clashes led to the death of a Deportivo La Coruna fan on Sunday.
Francisco Javier Romero Taboada died after being pulled out of the Manzanares river following trouble between rival fans in the streets surrounding the Vicente Calderon stadium ahead of Atletico Madrid's midday kick-off against Depor.
Twelve more people were reported injured - some including stab wounds - during the fighting which was said to have involved around 200 people.
Following an emergency meeting of the Anti-Violence Commission on Monday, Secretary of State for Sport Miguel Cardenal said: "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."
Hooliganism
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.
"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."
