Spanish side Córdoba has been promoted from the second division to La Liga "for the first time since 1972 -- thanks to a premature surge onto the field by Las Palmas fans and a last-gasp goal for a 1-1 draw," according to the AP. Las Palmas was winning 1-0 with "less than two minutes of stoppage time left Sunday." Several dozen home fans "then took to the field, forcing a 10-minute delay." Córdoba made "one last push that ended with a goal by Ulises Davila." After the match, TV images showed Las Palmas fans fighting, with some "blaming the result on those who ran on the field." Police "escorted match officials off the field before a few fans threw chairs from the bleachers" (AP, 6/22). In Madrid, Txema Santana reported Spain's National Police "are finalizing a harsh report" against Las Palmas for its "deficient security conditions." Valentín Solano of the National Police said that "the responsibility for controlling access belongs to an event's host." Police sources indicated that Las Palmas' stadium "could be closed for several games" (EL PAIS, 6/23).
CELEBRATION IN CÓRDOBA: The EFE reported "the city of Córdoba exploded in happiness" after the match. Córdoba fans had filled bars "as the city was unable to install TV screens for fans to follow the game." Thousands of fans "were concentrated in the city's Plaza de Las Tendillas Sunday night" (EFE, 6/22).
