MusaAthletico Bilbao Fans Arrested After Clash with Rangers Supporters
Earlier this year, police arrested several Athletic Bilbao fans following violent incidents before the Europa League quarter-final match.
This week, Spain’s Permanent Commission of the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance in Sport convened to address the altercations. They imposed sanctions on two unnamed Bilbao residents involved in the attack on Rangers fans, which left one supporter hospitalized. The offenders received a one-year ban from sports stadiums in Spain and a £5,000 fine.
The commission stated, “Violence has no place in Spanish sports, and strict measures have been taken.”
Shocking Footage of the Attack Circulates Online
At the time, disturbing footage of the incident spread across social media, showing Rangers fans being violently assaulted by a group of Spanish supporters. The video, believed to have been filmed just before Thursday night’s match, captures a chaotic street brawl in Bilbao.
In the clip, around 20 hooded and masked individuals attack three defenseless men—reportedly Rangers supporters—punching and kicking them relentlessly. One victim is knocked to the ground and struck in the head, while another is pinned against a shuttered doorway, his clothes torn off. A third manages to escape but not before enduring multiple blows.
One social media viewer reacted: “This is horrifying. The masked attackers are nothing but cowards. I hope they’re proud of themselves.”
Violence Erupts Near Police Station
The clashes broke out near a Lidl supermarket, a known gathering spot for Athletic Bilbao fans before matches—ironically close to a local police station. The footage shows a large crowd of Spanish supporters filling the streets before the unrest began.
In the subsequent match, Rangers suffered a 2-0 defeat, ending their Europa League run against the La Liga side.
Musa
Kwaghterna Garshagu
