On the 15th of February, after the match between Villarreal CF and Valencia CF at the Estadio de la Cerámica, an unfortunate incident took place in which three Villarreal fans with functional disabilities were brutally assaulted by five hooded Valencia ultras, two of whom have already been arrested, in the vicinity of the stadium. The victims suffered various injuries, including a complete maxillofacial fracture that required hospitalisation.
Villarreal CF issued an official statement condemning and strongly repudiating the aggression, expressing its support for those affected and its commitment to eradicating violence in sport. For his part, Villarreal coach Marcelino García Toral used his social networks to express his rejection of these violent acts, sharing the club’s official statement and adding: ‘I roundly condemn any act of violence in football. All my support to our affected fans. Football should be a space of respect and coexistence’.
Valencia CF also regretted the incident and expressed its condemnation of the violence, stating that the attackers do not represent the fans or the club.
The authorities have acted swiftly, identifying and arresting two individuals linked to the aggression, proposing sanctions of 30,000 euros and a ban on access to sporting venues for 18 months.
Days later, the Court of First Instance and Preliminary Investigation number 3 of Mislata, on duty and in accordance with the criteria of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, agreed the release with precautionary measures for the two alleged aggressors of three Villarreal fans with functional diversity. The events, which scandalised the football world, took place after the derby of the Comunitat in La Cerámica when three yellow fans with functional disabilities were attacked by two of them.
From here, we express our solidarity with the affected fans and reiterate our commitment to promoting the values of respect and sportsmanship that should prevail in football.