High-risk Spanish football games "will now come at a higher cost to clubs," according to Rebeca Carranco of EL PAIS. Spanish state of Catalonia government official Ramón Espadaler said that the government will charge teams at a higher rate for the use of extra security personnel during "high-risk games, like Barcelona-Real Madrid or Barcelona-Espanyol derbies." For a normal game, clubs "typically use 95 security officials," at a cost of €21 ($29) per agent, per hour, with Spain's Interior Ministry covering the cost. Now, at high-risk matches, clubs will have to pay each security official beyond the standard 95 at a rate of €37 ($50) per hour. Last season, nine Spanish matches were "considered high-risk." Spain's Interior Ministry expects to save €1.5M ($2M) with the new measure (EL PAIS, 11/27).
REAL ADDRESSES ULTRAS: EL CONFIDENCIAL reported Real Madrid execs "are ready to end the problems that have surrounded the 'Ultras Sur' ('South Ultras') in recent weeks." For Wednesday's Champions League game against Turkish side Galatasaray, "club directors have decided not to let season-ticket holders enter the zone reserved for the club's radical followers." All fans looking to enter the reserved zone "will be required to present their National Identity Documents (DNI), and will be denied access without them" (EL CONFIDENCIAL, 11/27). MUNDO DEPORTIVO reported "this is Real Madrid's way of controlling those who have been at the root of recent confrontations between Ultras Sur members and other radical followers" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 11/27).
