Athletic Bilbao has issued a formal condemnation following the unruly behavior of a minority of their traveling fans during the club’s 1-1 draw against AS Roma in the UEFA Europa League at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday. Several flares were lit and thrown from the away section, endangering players and spectators, as tensions escalated during the match.
The incident unfolded as Bilbao’s away supporters ignited numerous flares, with some being hurled towards the pitch and into areas populated by Roma’s home fans. This created a dangerous atmosphere, sparking outrage from both teams and prompting an immediate response from Bilbao’s players and club officials. The match itself saw Bilbao earn a hard-fought draw, with Aitor Paredes scoring a late equalizer to cancel out an earlier goal by AS Roma’s Artem Dovbyk. However, the result was overshadowed by the unsportsmanlike conduct of a small faction of Bilbao supporters, drawing widespread criticism.
In a strongly worded statement, Athletic Bilbao distanced itself from the actions of these fans, emphasizing that such behavior tarnishes the club’s image and is a clear violation of safety regulations. “Athletic Club wishes to express its strongest condemnation of the unacceptable acts carried out by a minority of people who traveled to the Europa League match against AS Roma and who were located in the away stand,” the club said in a statement. “During the match, this small group lit flares and threw some of them into the home stand, contravening safety regulations and tarnishing the image of our fans.”
©️ De Marcos & I. Williams.
Hau bada gure estiloa. Este sí es nuestro estilo.#RomaAthletic #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/TNl9HWP8oj
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) September 26, 2024
The club also made it clear that this behavior does not reflect the values of their broader fan base, who are renowned for their passion and respect for the game. They reiterated that fan safety is of utmost importance and that actions such as these will not be tolerated. Bilbao captain Oscar de Marcos and forward Inaki Williams, both of whom played pivotal roles in the game, could be seen confronting their own supporters after the final whistle. They expressed their disapproval of the dangerous conduct, urging the fans involved to recognize the potential harm their actions could cause. In a brief post-match exchange, the two players made it clear that such actions were “unacceptable” and asked the offending individuals to show more respect for the club and its values.
The club further stated that it is actively cooperating with authorities to identify the individuals responsible for throwing the flares and ensure that they face appropriate consequences. Bilbao has long prided itself on maintaining a positive relationship with its fans, and this isolated incident has come as a significant disappointment to both the team and its supporters.
AS Roma has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident, though local security personnel at Stadio Olimpico acted swiftly to contain the situation. No serious injuries were reported, but the event serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that can arise when fan conduct crosses the line into reckless behavior. The throwing of flares, which are banned in most stadiums due to the inherent fire hazards and safety risks, is a violation of UEFA’s regulations. Clubs can face sanctions ranging from fines to potential restrictions on away fan attendance for future matches. It is yet to be determined whether Athletic Bilbao will face any disciplinary action from UEFA as a result of the incident.
