Madrid’s 23rd High Court session opened December 1 to hear a case against 82 ultras accused of taking part in a clash that ended with the murder of Deportivo fan Francisco Javier Romero Taboada, known as Jimmy. The prosecutor seeks sentences of up to two and a half years in prison for the defendants.
The core focus of the case centers on the confrontation near the Vicente Calderón stadium on November 30, 2014, a fight linked to Jimmy’s death but handled in a separate proceeding. If the judge does not press charges in that related crime, Madrid’s court will decide whether to close the case definitively. More than eight years after the incident shocked football fans worldwide, the court has begun a formal procedure, with 17 sessions planned through December 28.
What are they accused of?
The prosecution targets all ultras involved, many affiliated with Athletic Front and the Riazor Blues, accusing them of a violent brawl with a motive of ideological discrimination. They seek prison terms ranging from one year to nine months, recognizing that the groups hold opposing political ideologies — one faction leaning far-right and the other far-left — and they also seek a ban on gym participation for the duration of the sentence.
In addition, the prosecution asks for an extra year and a half for illegal possession of firearms among four defendants, while two more requests propose penalties of one year and ten months for injuries and assault. Overall, the prosecutor’s office is aiming for sentences from nine months up to two and a half years.
The Professional Football League (LFP), in its official capacity, is backing the accusation and argues for sentences between one and three and a half years, noting that some crimes may lead to longer or shorter penalties depending on circumstances. Fines could range from 72,000 to 117,000 euros.
Prosecutor’s arguments
The prosecutor’s report, which was accessed by the wire service, highlights that Athletic Front and Riazor Blues supporters were identified as the groups most involved in the events. The accusation notes that members used social media to coordinate near the stadium around 9:00 a.m., emphasizing the priority of their team identity and the ideology they represent, effectively setting up an ambush.
The document describes the defendants as acting in aggressive, disorganized, and volatile ways, typically in groups. It notes the use of banned weapons and dangerous objects such as wooden sticks, aluminum rods, batons, baseball bats, knives, carabiners, and retractable fenders, tools that were widely recognized by participants as risky and unacceptable.
In this clash, multiple individuals were killed and a large number of defendants and police officers were injured. The case remains under investigation for the material aspects of the crime, with continued scrutiny and no final resolution yet.
Citations: (citation: Athletic Front and Riazor Blues case summary) — ongoing legal proceedings should be reviewed in court records for the latest status and outcomes.