Europa-Sant Andreu derby suspended after wall collapse

Derby games between CE Europa and UE Sant Andreu, two football clubs currently playing in Segona Federació, the fourth tier of Spanish football, have become box-office events in recent years, with stadiums sold out for each encounter and electric, colorful displays from the fans in the stands. 

On Sunday, the historic football clubs clashed again in the league, with both sides jostling for playoff positions, and the game was well on course to becoming an all-time classic before it was suspended shortly after half time when the wall separating the visiting Sant Andreu fans from the playing surface collapsed under the pressure of celebrations of UESA’s fifth goal. 

Just three minutes after the restart, the quatribarrats took a 3-5 advantage in a helter-skelter contest that seemed to provide limitless drama. 

The euphoria proved too much for the wall behind the goal that Sant Andreu had just scored in, and dozens of fans fell over the barrier, causing minor injuries to some supporters and photographers. 

In a statement, Sant Andreu condemned the could-be “tragedy,” and urged that the events "must make those responsible for the maintenance of these facilities think." The club also pointed out that the same wall collapsed, albeit to a lesser degree, in a derby game between the sides in 2020. 

Europa’s Nou Sardenya stadium is a council-owned municipal ground, and Sant Andreu pointed out that necessary works must be done to ensure safety in the stadium as well as their own, also municipally-owned, Narcís Sala. The stadiums, according to UESA, "must adapt to the growth of the social masses" both clubs have enjoyed since the pandemic, and "they need urgent improvements to host matches of this magnitude."

For their part, the city council has pointed the finger of blame at the home club, Europa, saying they are responsible for the maintenance of the wall that gave way. According to local news outlet beteve, the club from Gràcia, per the stadium's operating agreement, is "responsible for the management, conservation in terms of safety and good condition of the facility, as well as ordinary maintenance.” 

The council, therefore, contradicts the CE Europa’s stance, as they had previously claimed the local administration was in charge of maintenance tasks. 

Beteve also report that the city council assure that visits from their technicians showed that the club had not carried out the relevant maintenance works on the wall that fell. As such, the council say they will carry out an audit on the state of conservation and maintenance of Europa’s Nou Sardenya stadium.

New game date

With only 48 minutes of the game played before it was suspended, the league will have to find a new date for the remaining 42 minutes to be played. 

Given league commitments, as well as the fact that both clubs are also competing in the Copa del Rey and the Copa Catalunya, either December 11 or December 18 seem like the most likely potential dates to restart the match. 

The derby proved to be one of the games of the season in the part that has been played so far, with Sant Andreu racing to a 1-2 lead before ten minutes had been played. 

Europa came back to level the contest 3-3 heading towards half time, before the game was suspended for ten minutes after a lighter was thrown onto the pitch from the visiting supporters. 

The players were taken off the field only to return to play the last four minutes before half time, and in this period Sant Andreu took a 3-4 lead. 

Before the game, both sets of fans impressed with enormous colorful tifo displays, setting the scene for what would quickly develop into a chaotic classic. 

Police clashes

After the game was suspended, there were some scenes of tension and clashes with riot police in the surrounding streets. 

Beteve report that Catalan Mossos d'Esquadra police charged against Europa supporters outside the Nou Sardenya stadium, some of whom knocked over containers and threw bottles at police. 

Both clubs have questioned the police operation at the derby game. The presidents of the two clubs, Héctor Ibar and Manuel Camino, agreed that the main problem was letting both sets of fans out at the same time after the game.

In a statement, Europa lamented the "disproportionate" heavy-handedness from the police after the game.