Simeone Says Players Who Provoke Fans Should Be Punished

Atleticos's head coach Diego Simeone gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 29 September 2024. (EPA)
Atleticos's head coach Diego Simeone gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 29 September 2024. (EPA)
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Simeone Says Players Who Provoke Fans Should Be Punished

Atleticos's head coach Diego Simeone gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 29 September 2024. (EPA)
Atleticos's head coach Diego Simeone gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid at Civitas Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, 29 September 2024. (EPA)

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone said on Sunday fans that hurled objects onto the pitch causing their derby against Real Madrid to be suspended for over 20 minutes should be punished, as well as players who he suggested encourage such action.

While Real players celebrated Eder Militao's opener in the 64th minute, Atletico ultras Fondo Sur, who are located in the south lower stands, threw objects towards visiting keeper Thibaut Courtois, who alerted the referee and he decided to temporarily halt the match.

After the delay, Angel Correa equalized deep in added time as the game ended with a 1-1 draw.

"My opinion is that people who have committed incidents should be sanctioned by the club. We don't need these people. We need the people who accompany and support us. They harm the club, but be careful: that does not justify generating situations that we, the protagonists, generate," Simeone told DAZN.

"We all have to help. The people who have thrown those lighters, it's not right. But maybe it doesn't help when us, the protagonists, undermine people, charge against people, provoke people and then people get angry.

"People have no other way of doing it, in a bad way, which is not right, but we also have to try to be calm, to understand the situations, that you can celebrate a goal by celebrating it, but not by celebrating it by staring at the stands, charging against the stands, making gestures... because then people get angry.

"Of course it's not justified, but neither is the initial thing justified because otherwise we'll always be victims. The one who throws the cigarette lighter should be sanctioned and the one who provokes should also be sanctioned. This way there is no more laughter and things like that, as you are not sanctioned, you are allowed to do things."

Atletico Madrid released an official statement in the early hours of Monday saying they have already identified one of the fans who hurled objects onto the pitch and are working with police to identify others, who will be disciplined.

"Atletico de Madrid wishes to express their rejection of the throwing of objects from a section of the south stand in the 68th minute of the match against Real Madrid. The club's security department has been working together with the police to locate those involved, one of whom has already been identified," the club said in a statement.

"The club will apply the internal regime foreseen for very serious cases to the people involved in this incident. These attitudes have no place in football and tarnish the image of a stadium that has experienced a spectacular atmosphere with more than 70,000 spectators in the stands, the vast majority of whom have shown exemplary behavior."



France will Host Israel in the Nations League 'Under Usual Conditions,' French Authorities Say

Israel’s Mohammad Abu Fani celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italia and Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)
Israel’s Mohammad Abu Fani celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italia and Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)
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France will Host Israel in the Nations League 'Under Usual Conditions,' French Authorities Say

Israel’s Mohammad Abu Fani celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italia and Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)
Israel’s Mohammad Abu Fani celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Italia and Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)

Israel's Nations League soccer match against host France next month will take place in "usual conditions,” French authorities said Tuesday, a day after Italy hosted Israel in the same competition without incident despite security concerns.

Laurent Nuñez, the Paris police prefect, said in a statement that the match at the Stade de France on Nov. 14 will be played “under the usual conditions for a Nations League match and will of course be open to the public,” The AP reported.

Italy beat Israel 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday, with the game being played against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which has spread to Lebanon after more than a year-long war in Gaza.

It was the first match Israel has played outside neutral Hungary this year. After the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7 last year, the national soccer team played in Kosovo and Andorra last November.

All Israel matches since then have been in Hungary, including last month’s game against Belgium in the Nations League after the Belgian Football Association refused to host the game for security reasons.