In Monaco at the end of August, Atletico de Madrid hoped to face Celtic, Feyenoord, and Lazio in the Champions League. Far away, police forces kept a wary eye on the crowd, focusing not on the Atletico match but on the risk posed by rival ultras who fuel violence around football arenas.
While the national situation remains stable, warnings tend to rise whenever away fans travel inside Spain. International cooperation and tighter ticket controls have reduced threats, yet incidents still appear from time to time.
Many supporters arrive without proper registration, a factor that motivates officials to bolster security. Authorities acknowledge the challenge is substantial, though incidents are relatively rare. This sentiment comes from an investigator with experience in monitoring radical groups, speaking to EFE on background.
Sevilla ultras train with Betis two days before the derby
The most recent clashes have involved a Portuguese group aligned with Benfica during a match against Real Sociedad. Earlier in November, several Dutch Feyenoord supporters were arrested following a brawl in the VIP area of a major stadium.
The situation is complicated further when ultra diplomacy comes into play. International matchmaking and faction tensions can ignite hostilities. Such was the case for the Atletico-Lazio encounter, flagged red by security teams because streets nearby were expected to become volatile.
Different factions maintain historical alliances, with Atletico Front connected to the Curva Sud and other radical groups from AS Roma and Real Madrid forming blocs with Ultras Lazio, known historically as the Irriducibili. Officials warned that this match could prove to be one of the most challenging for Atletico’s group, as rival groups may travel from Rome and Lazio with the aim of causing trouble and seeking encounters with Madrid fans.
Experts describe these groups as part of a darker spectrum where ideology often guides behavior, yet sporting rivalries can escalate into clashes. The Frente Atlético and Ultras Lazio remain at odds despite broader far-right leanings in some circles.
CGI officials anticipate a high-risk designation for the match, with a large police presence planned to manage up to 3,000 Lazio fans holding tickets, plus those traveling without tickets and radicals from rival sectors who might join the scene around match time.
Slight increase in arguments
Spanish ultras, numbering around 10,000, are not currently triggering widespread public alarm. Police report a rise in violent incidents over recent years, though such events still occur within national borders.
The last two seasons recorded 80 and 87 fights, respectively, with around twenty incidents documented so far this year, indicating a modest rebound. Yet, there is a clear distinction from broader European trends where violence can be more severe. Authorities emphasize that Spain remains one of the safer football environments on the continent.
Law enforcement, judicial authorities, and the league all share a common stance of zero tolerance. That unified approach has led to most weekend confrontations being averted, even if isolated episodes still arise. The history of the ultra movement is marked by past tragedies, including the 1992 Sarrià explosion that killed a 13-year-old, and other high-profile incidents that have shaped policy and vigilance in stadiums.
Officials warn that the ultra movement persists, though there is a risk that any future confrontation could trigger serious harm. Notable cases, such as fatal clashes involving different clubs’ ultras in previous years, underscore the need for constant monitoring of radical elements.
When clashes do occur, they are typically isolated. It is the persistent presence of rival factions that keeps authorities vigilant and ready to deploy targeted measures around key matchups.
‘Dracas’, a distraction
Outside Madrid, a wooded area has seen one-on-one skirmishes between factions linked to Atletico Front and other groups. These incidents typically involve no weapons beyond improvised means, lasting just over a minute before authorities can intervene. Travel from Poland or Russia has highlighted some differences in ultra organization, but does not appear to cause major concern for local agencies.
The mood among investigators centers on preventing injuries rather than shutting down every gathering. Officials stress that a serious incident would prompt more stringent actions to curb radical activity. The overall priority remains public safety and ensuring that football remains a positive, unifying experience for fans and communities alike.
Observers note that the ultra movement has faced pressures in recent times, yet the possibility of isolated clashes remains. The focus is on early warning and swift response to any sign of escalation.