Official Statement

1. LIGA BBVA

Sevilla FC - Real Madrid CF

During the minutes before kick-off and at different times during the match, different chants were sung by spectators supporting the home team and bearing symbols identifiable with the club (scarves, shirts, flags and banners), exclusively or predominantly in the stand Baja Gol Norte “Banco de Pista Norte” where a group known as BIRIS NORTE is located, as is attested to by different identifiable symbols of the aforementioned group, numbering approximately 2000.

The aforementioned chants and expressions are detailed and described below in chronological order:

1) During the teams’ warm-up and until moments before kick-off, the repeated exclamation “QUE SÍ, QUE SÍ, QUE  PUTA REAL MADRID!” could be heard on different occasions (7:45pm, 7:52pm and 19:57pm); the expression was shouted repeatedly, in unison and in a coordinated fashion by a section of the aforementioned group. At approximately 7:47pm, the exclamation “PUTA MADRID Y PUTA CAPITAL!” could be heard, an expression that was shouted repeatedly, in unison and in a coordinated fashion by a section of the aforementioned group.

2) At different times during the match, the following expressions and chants could be heard, always in unison, repeatedly and in a coordinated fashion:

• In minutes 2, 54, the repeated exclamation “QUE SÍ, QUE SÍ, QUE  PUTA REAL MADRID!”. 
• In minutes 29 and 74, the repeated exclamation “PÍSALO, PÍSALO”, directed at the away team player Sergio Ramos while he was on the ground following in-match incidents.
• In minutes 37 and 75, the repeated exclamation “SERGIO RAMOS, HIJO DE PUTA”, directed at the away team player.
• In minute 39, the repeated exclamation “ASESINO, ASESINO”, directed at the away team player Pepe.
• In minute 59, the repeated exclamation “ESE PORTUGUÉS, HIJO PUTA ES”, directed at the away team player Cristiano Ronaldo.

• In minute 69, the repeated exclamation “PUTA, PUTA, PUTA”, directed at a female supporter of the away team who, bearing Real Madrid CF symbols, was celebrating the scoreline. 
• In minute 83, the repeated exclamation “PUTA MÁLAGA, PUTA MÁLAGA”, at the time of the substitution of away team player Isco, who is from Malaga. 
• In minute 92, the repeated exclamation “ÁRBITRO VALIENTE, VALIENTE HIJO DE PUTA”, directed at the match referee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conduct of the rest of the spectators present in the stadium was correct during the entirety of the match.

In terms of the violence prevention measures taken, it should be placed on record that from matchday 33 of the league season, Sevilla Fútbol Club SAD have developed and implemented a personalised package of measures aimed specifically at the prevention of violence, and it can be attested to that these measures were carried out before and during the match. At the different access gates to the stadium, signs were displayed listing the violence prevention measures. Searches at the access points, particularly at the area of access of the Biris fan club, were intensive and thorough.

An article appears on the club’s website in which the home club states its commitment to the promotion of tolerance in football. On social media, a range of Tweets were also posted in the days and hours before the match condemning violence in football. In the access passages to the stands, the Cordiality project is advertised. As had already been the case in previous games, chiefly in the past month, four lines of security staff were positioned in the area occupied by the Biris fan club with the purpose of preventing sideways movement by the supporters.

As had been the case in the previous match, before kick-off and at half-time a message was broadcast over the public address system condemning violence in football: “En el fútbol no hay sitio para la violencia ni el insulto. Respeta el fútbol, vive el Sevilla”. This message was also displayed on the video scoreboards installed at both ends of the stadium, appearing at 7:33pm, 7:49pm and in at least minutes 60 and 72.

RC Deportivo - Villarreal CF

In minute 32 of the match, the group of home supporters formed by approximately 500 individuals, located in the “Marathon Inferior” stand of the stadium and known as “RIAZOR BLUES”, shouted the exclamation “FRENTE ATLÉTICO ASESINO!”, in reference to the group of supporters of Club Atlético de Madrid, SAD known as “Frente Atlético”. The aforementioned exclamation was shouted in unison, repeatedly and in a coordinated fashion, exclusively by the aforementioned group, without being followed or chanted by the rest of the spectators present in the stadium, whose conduct was completely correct during the entirety of the match.

In terms of the violence prevention measures adopted by the home club, the following may be placed on record: (i) in the moments before the match, exhaustive searches were carried out at the stadium access points to avoid potentially dangerous objects or printed materials bearing offensive and insulting slogans and inscriptions being taken into the arena, particularly at the access gates of supporters belonging to the group Riazor Blues”; (ii) signs were displayed at the different access gates to the stadium, listing the numerous causes for entrance to the stadium being prohibited, in relation to the prevention of violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport.