The Copa del Rey round of 16 match between city rivals Real Betis and Sevilla FC was abandoned on Saturday evening. The reason: A player was hit in the head by an object thrown from the stands.
It happened in first-half injury time, immediately after Fekir had scored a direct corner to make it 1-1 for Betis and turn the Estadio Benito Villamarin into a madhouse. The Beticos in the stands went wild with joy – and one of them went completely over the top afterwards. A pole was hurled from the stands towards the pitch, hitting visiting player Joan Jordan in the head.
The 27-year-old went down, holding his head, but quickly got up and was led off the pitch. Referee Ricardo de Burgos immediately stopped play. While the visiting team immediately went to the catacombs, many of the home side’s players remained on the pitch. There was a long period of confusion before the game was officially abandoned a few minutes later.
Real Betis wanted to continue the game
During the stoppage, police forces were visible in the part of the stands from which the projectile had apparently come. Later in the evening, the host club tweeted: “Real Betis Balompie strongly condemns the throwing of an object on the pitch during the Copa del Rey match. The club immediately cooperated with the National Police to identify the alleged perpetrator.” However, Real Betis had also “at all times” intended to “resume the game and hopes to conclude it as soon as possible.”
Whether there will be a continuation or even a replay of the match remains to be seen. “The RFEF condemns all acts of violence on the pitch,” the Spanish Football Federation wrote only in a statement.
