the essential
The serious incident occurred after the visiting team scored a goal, causing a massive movement of spectators. The barriers did not resist.
“A tragedy could have happened!” The words of the Spanish press, this Monday, November 18, are unequivocal. A tragedy was narrowly avoided on Sunday 17th during a Spanish fourth division match.
A famously hot derby, between two Barcelona teams, Europa and Sant Andreu. 3,500 spectators at the stadium, including several hundred visitors. On the pitch, a suffocating drama, with a very committed meeting and numerous goals.
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In the 50th minute, the visitors led 4-3 and added a little more to the score: 5-3. Goal scored in front of the stands of the supporters who have made the trip, who give in to euphoria. But under the effect of their pressure and their movements, the metal barrier at the foot of the stand gives way.
Dozens of fans are thrown towards the bottom of the stand, collapsing on top of each other like a house of cards. Faced with panic and confusion, the referee, realizing the seriousness of the situation, suspended the match, which would not resume. Miracle: no injuries were reported.
High tension in the Second Federation Barcelona derby between Europa and Sant Andreu.
? The referee suspended the match after the fence that separates the fans fell | @RTVECatalunya
➕ Info a https://t.co/YCp3AoruJW pic.twitter.com/djnXQqAJCO
— RTVE News (@rtvenoticies) https://twitter.com/rtvenoticies/status/1858499195625234739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
▶ The fall of a fence in the North Goal of Nou Sardenya forces the suspension of the @CEEuropa ? @uesantandreuthe derby #SegonaRFEF ?
? @1Nil_T:” This fence was not in good condition and today, with the explosion of the goal, it fell”
? Héctor Ibar (CE Europe president): “I know a lot… pic.twitter.com/GIpX8gOXha
— Sports on the Net (@esportsenxarxa) https://twitter.com/esportsenxarxa/status/1858226076373442600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
A few hours after the events, this Monday 18, the local media Ara underlined that the stadium in question, Nou Sardenya, belongs to the municipality and is the subject of regular complaints from the resident club regarding its dilapidation. The barrier that collapsed on Sunday had already been a source of problems, as Hector Ibar, president of Club Esportiu Europa, confessed.
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“This fence gave way years ago and, thanks to the renovations, it has withstood other derbies, Copa del Rey matches, play-off matches… But today it fell,” he lamented, stressing that financial aid from the public authorities was insufficient and that the club had to maintain it from its own funds.
The media specifies, however, that the town hall has invested, in recent years, 375,000 euros to renovate the lawn in 2022, 330,000 in 2021 to renovate the lighting and 150,000 to renovate the offices, changing rooms and stands.
