Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane and his Barcelona counterpart Ernesto Valverde on Friday strongly condemned the violence which led to a police officer dying before a Europa League game in Spain between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow.
“Our thoughts are with his family. I don’t like violence, and it is very hard to understand when these things happen. Let’s hope these things don’t happen again in a football stadium,” said Zidane of the incidents which took place prior to Thursday evening’s match.
Nine people were arrested, including three Russians and a Pole, during clashes outside San Mames in which a police officer died of a heart attack.
The incident also raised fears over hooliganism at this summer’s World Cup which will be hosted by Russia. “Football was invented to be enjoyed, for people to experience happiness or suffer with their teams,” said Barcelona coach Valverde, formerly in charge in Bilbao.
“But others use football as an excuse for other things, because football is seen by so many. It sullies football but it is not a problem for football, it is a wider problem. And of course we absolutely condemn that.”
FIFA said it “deeply regrets” the clashes in Bilbao but had “complete trust” in Russia’s ability to ensure a safe World Cup — despite this being just the latest incident of hooligan violence involving Russians.
