Atletico Madrid told to get tough on ‘outrageous’ ultras as draw with Real Madrid suspended for 15 minutes after attacks on Thibaut Courtois
The Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid derby was suspended for several minutes after numerous objects were thrown onto the pitch.
Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer ordered both sets of players off the turf at Atleti's Wanda Metropolitano on 68 minutes after Thibaut Courtois was targeted by spectators behind his goal when he prepared to take a goal kick.
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The decision was made four minutes after Real Madrid had taken the lead through Eder Militao's strike.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois was seen celebrating in the direction of the Atleti fans behind his goal.
Several objects were thrown at him, including lighters, with the ultras stationed behind Courtois' goal appearing to be upset with his celebrations.
Meanwhile, a plastic bag containing an unknown object was carried off the pitch by Courtois.
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Atleti boss Diego Simeone and defender Jose Maria Gimenez tried calm the supporters stationed where the trouble started down while the game was suspended.
However, the anger towards Courtois showed no sign of subsiding with the Belgian being greeted with whistles from the Atleti faithful when both sets of played came back onto the pitch.
Play resumed 15 minutes after it was initially suspended.
And there was a twist in the tale in stoppage time with Angel Correa bundling the ball home for Atletico to deny their rivals a precious three points.
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The match, which finished 1-1, saw Marcos Llorente receive a red card even later into stoppage time.
Real Madrid are second in LaLiga, but missed the chance to go just a point behind leaders Barcelona, who suffered a surprise 4-2 defeat at Osasuna on Saturday.
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Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid remain third in the Spanish top flight.
The two clubs share a bitter rivalry in the Spanish capital, but it has previously overstepped the mark.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has been subject to abhorrent abuse from some Atleti fans.
In 2023, a police investigation was launched as a doll of the Brazilian was hung from a bridge by Atletico's training ground.
Courtois represented Atletico Madrid for three years on loan with them between 2011-14 when he was a Chelsea player.
A punishment for Atletico Madrid could well follow and Spanish football expert Guillem Balague insists the club hasn't done enough to control their ultras.
";There is also something that is not right," Balague told ITV.
"That group of fans is very well known for behaviour that has been discriminatory, racist. And I'm pointing at that group of fans, the ultras of Atletico Madrid, because they boast that kind of thing.
"They go to the youth Champions League, for instance, and because there's not so much police, there's not so much punishment that happens, they come out with outrageous behaviour.
"I don't think Atletico Madrid, in the last few years with Vinicius Jr being clearly targeted - there was a campaign before this game to try and target him as well.
"I don't think Atletico Madrid have been strong enough on their own ultras and it gets to a point where it gets out of hand."
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