Espanyol’s head coach, Luis Garcia, condemned the on-field ejection of fans after the weekend clash with Barcelona in week 34 of La Liga. The incident cast a shadow over Barcelona’s 4-2 victory away from home, which clinched the league title earlier than scheduled. As the final whistle sounded and the Barca players gathered in the center circle to celebrate, a group of Espanyol supporters rushed onto the pitch, interrupting the celebration by approaching the players with blue garlands. Security teams and stadium staff moved quickly to restore order, and both squads exited the turf with urgency.
Garcia expressed his disappointment through spokespersons, noting that he did not witness the events himself because he tends to go to the stands after matches, regardless of the result. He emphasized that there is no pride to be found in such actions and called for accountability. Violence, he insisted, has no place in football or any other arena of life, and all necessary steps were taken to control the situation, though the attempts were ultimately insufficient in the moment.
Barcelona’s success marked the club’s 27th league title. Only Real Madrid has won more in the history of the competition, tallying 35 championships. The triumph adds another chapter to Barcelona’s storied domestic record and reinforces their status as a perennial force in Spanish football.
Looking ahead, Barcelona is scheduled to compete against Real Sociedad in the upcoming round, as they continue to build momentum following the title win. The weekend’s events, including the confrontation with Espanyol supporters, have sparked discussions about crowd behavior and security protocols at league matches.
The official communication from the club followed the incident on the field, noting that the episode involved a breach of safety by some fans who targeted the Barca players after the match. The situation underscores the ongoing challenge clubs face in safeguarding players, staff, and spectators while preserving the integrity of competition.