The partial closure of the Metropolitano Stadium has recently been updated, with the penalty now reduced from three matches to just one. This decision follows the unfortunate events that transpired during the derby against Real Madrid and reflects an important development for Atlético Madrid.
According to the official statement released by the Appeals Committee, the stadium will now only experience a partial closure for a singular match, which is a significant reduction in the original ruling. The imposed financial penalty for this sanction is set at a relatively modest sum of 3,000 euros.
The Appeals Committee’s resolution specifically addressed an appeal lodged by Atlético Madrid against the earlier ruling from the RFEF Disciplinary Committee, dated October 2, 2024. The committee stated:
“In light of the above, the Appeals Committee notes:”
“To partially uphold the appeal filed by Atlético de Madrid against the resolution of the RFEF Disciplinary Committee of 2 October 2024 and, consequently, to impose the following sanctions:
- Partial closure of its sports venue for a period of ONE MATCH and a fine of three thousand euros (€3,000.00), for the commission of the infringement of article 107.1 of the Disciplinary Code of the RFEF.
- The partial closure will affect sectors 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132 and 133, and will be carried out in the terms provided for in article 57.1 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code.”
In their previous appeal, Atletico Madrid had argued that the initial sanction was “disproportionate,” demonstrating their commitment to fair play and the values of sportsmanship. The Appeals Department took these arguments into account and ultimately decided to reduce the ban from three matches down to one, thus displaying a level of understanding of the club’s position.
Additionally, Atletico Madrid reaffirmed their strong stance against violence, reiterating their condemnation of the incidents that occurred during the match against Real Madrid. The club stressed that they maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violence, and they are committed to prosecuting all manifestations of such behavior. They are also dedicated to enforcing internal regulations against those involved.
Moreover, Atletico Madrid has taken proactive measures by collaborating with law enforcement to identify the perpetrators of the disturbances. Hours after the derby, the club had already identified two individuals, and as of now, four people have been expelled from the club for their participation in throwing objects, showcasing the club’s commitment to ensuring such incidents do not occur in the future.
Notably, the Appeals Committee also considered the plight of the numerous fans who exhibited exemplary behavior during the match. It is regrettable that even those who acted appropriately will be affected by this sanction.
Originally, the imposed closure was set to affect part of the lower stand at the south end of the stadium, specifically sectors 127 through 133, where certain fans had thrown lighters at Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. Consequently, Atlético Madrid will now face capacity limitations during their next match against Leganes. The match is scheduled for this Sunday at 4:15 p.m., and it will occur in front of a more limited audience due to the ongoing sanctions.
In light of this development, attention now turns to the proposed sanctions from the Anti-Violence Committee. There is a pending request for the total closure of the Metropolitano Stadium for two weeks, along with a substantial fine of 65,000 euros for the club. The outcome of this proposal will determine further implications for Atlético Madrid and its supporters, following the events surrounding the derby. This situation continues to unfold, and the football community will be watching closely for any new updates.
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