Atletico Madrid have announced the expulsion of their ‘Frente Atletico’ group of supporters from the Vicente Calderon.
It follows the incidents before Sunday’s game with Deportivo la Coruna when one fan died and several others were injured after fighting broke out between rival factions, with a number of members of the fans association involved.
“As a result of the extremely serious incidents the club has created a special commission that aims to find the facts and take appropriate action.
“This decision was taken when we received the police report identifying those arrested and involved in the mass brawl as being members of the ‘Frente Atletico’,” read an official statement.
Among those identified were 15 Atletico supporters, who the club say will be expelled with immediate effect and their membership permanently suspended, with no possible chance of future admittance.
“As proven by the police and as the report shows, the persons identified who were involved in the incidents did so in an organised and pre-planned way, and were members of the ‘Frente Atletico’,” the statement continued.
“As such the club has taken the decision to expel the ‘Frente Atletico’ as an official supporters club with effect from today, and as a result will cease any relationship with this group.
“We will do everything within our power to prevent banners or other distinguishing elements of this group to be displayed within the Vicente Calderon stadium.
“We will also take action against any other association or splinter group that may emerge in the future under any other name that does not condemn violence, or uses Atletico’s name or its facilities for racist or political ideologies.
“We at Atletico Madrid hope these sad events are not repeated and that this begins a new era of understanding and respect between football fans the world over,” it concluded
