Sports News

Bilbao president blames ‘drunk’ Anderlecht fans for violence

• Violence on pitch after 1-1 draw in Europa League match
• Fernando García Macua says trouble was ‘unfortunate’

Athletic Bilbao’s president blamed “drunk” Anderlecht supporters for causing crowd trouble after the 1-1 Europa League draw on Thursday.

Supporters from both clubs fought on the pitch at San Mames Stadium following the first-leg draw, drawing police onto the field to quell the skirmishes, which included punching and kicking.

TV images showed some home supporters in the stands throwing objects on rival fans. Fernando García Macua called the incidents “unfortunate” but put the blame on “drunk” supporters of the Belgian club.

“Anderlecht supporters, you saw them out in the city today drinking a lot and they don’t know how to control themselves,” Garcia Macua told Canal Plus. “We all came here – almost all of us at least – to see a sporting spectacle. It’s unfortunate.”

Anderlecht fans threw a rocket flare onto the field after Lucas Biglia opened the scoring for the visitors in the 34th minute.

Mikel San José equalised for Athletic in the 58th but the Belgian side held a valuable away goal ahead of next Thursday’s return leg.

“It’s a shame we’re talking about this” and not the game, the Athletic coach, Joaquin Caparros, said. “These types of things shouldn’t happen in football.”