In the Spanish Cup

Scandal! Hooligans want to storm their own stadium

Before the Spanish Cup semi-final between Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid, rival soccer fans in Bilbao attacked each other and fought street battles with the police. Athletic hooligans even tried to storm their own stadium.

Bilbao hooligans initially attacked opposing fans on Thursday evening, as reported by Spanish sports newspapers. They stormed a restaurant where some fans who had traveled from Madrid were eating. One Atletico supporter was injured and taken to hospital.

Six police officers injured
Later, violent Athletic fans tried to force their way into the San Mamés stadium. They threw firecrackers, Bengal flares, bottles and barriers at the police, as can be seen on images from state TV station RTVE. The security forces had to retreat into the stadium at times while a mob outside tried to break down the doors, as can be seen in a video published by the local newspaper "El Correo". One hooligan was arrested and six police officers were injured, according to the Basque police.

Athletic surprisingly won the semi-final 3:0 and thus qualified for the final in Seville. There, the Basques will face Real Mallorca.