Espanyol evaluates the sanction handed to the Competition Committee as unfair and disproportionate. The club decided to close Frontstage Stadium, the former RCDE Stadium, for two matches due to an area invasion before the league derby against Barcelona on May 14. The decision sparked strong reaction from the blue-and-white side, which stated in a firm public note that it completely disagrees with the sanction. The governing body described the penalty as exemplary, arguing that it reflected prejudiced value judgments and lacked a solid foundation.
Espanyol confirmed in a statement that it would exhaust every objection and pursue all available contingencies to prevent what it regards as an unjust punishment. If the challenge fails, the first two games of the season, against Racing Santander and Amorebieta, would take place behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, the Catalan club emphasized that it has all the necessary tools and measures in place inside the stadium to guarantee safety for a high-stakes match against Barcelona. The club noted that security forces themselves verified the resources allocated by the organization to host the derby and ensure crowd control and safety.
The visitors from Barcelona won the match with a 2-4 result and were crowned LaLiga champions. The incident surrounding the crowd intrusion forced Barça players to retreat directly to the dressing room tunnel for their safety and to de-escalate tensions in the moment.
Espanyol reiterated a firm denial of any violent act or behavior linked to the derby, insisting that such actions do not reflect the club, its staff, or its fans. The institution added that events resembling the derby incident have no place in football or in society, underscoring a commitment to upholding sportsmanship and the integrity of the game for both teams and their supporters in North America as well as in Europe.