Spanish Secretary of State for Security Francisco Martínez on Tuesday announced the "dismissal of the security coordinators" at La Liga sides Deportivo La Coruña and Atlético Madrid following the "battle between hardcore ultra fans that left one man dead" on Nov. 30, according to EL PAIS. Martínez made the announcement during his appearance alongside Superior Sports Council (CSD) President Miguel Cardenal to "explain the facts of the case to Congress." He said Deportivo La Coruña failed to pass on "precise and detailed information about the members of its Riazor Blues ultras group, who were planning to travel to the match against Atlético." This "prevented the police from carrying out a risk analysis and thus stopping the brawl, in which 200 ultras took part" (EL PAIS, 12/9). REUTERS' Iain Rogers reported Europe's "main fans group" has criticized Spain over new measures designed to "crack down on violent and abusive supporters' groups known as 'ultras,' labelling them 'short-sighted' and warning of 'fatal consequences.'" La Liga clubs, Spanish football authorities and the government have "vowed to banish ultras from stadiums and their surroundings." As well as banning known ultras groups, "fans who sing offensive chants in stadiums are also being targeted." The Football Supporters Europe network, which has members in 42 countries, said on Tuesday the measures would "affect fans who are neither violent nor abusive." The FSE said on its website, "First of all, there is great reason to doubt that mass punishments meet constitutional principles" (REUTERS, 12/9).
