Atlético Madrid hit with fine and partial stadium closure over derby trouble
Club handed €45,000 fine and south stand shutdownFurther punishment over alleged racist abuse possible
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has handed Atlético Madrid a €45,000 (£37,000) fine and ordered a three-game partial closure of their Cívitas Metropolitano stadium after Sunday night’s city derby was suspended when supporters threw objects at the Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The club could also still face further punishment as the government’s anti-violence commission investigates allegations of racist abuse aimed at Vinícius Júnior.
The referee, Mateo Busquets Ferrer, took the teams off the pitch in the 68th minute, per the formal protocol, after two appeals over the loud speakers did not stop the missiles, including lighters, bottles and plastic bags. The teams returned to the pitch 15 minutes later and the game was concluded with a late Atlético equaliser.
