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A car has injured at least 15 football fans after it drove through a crowd before last night’s crucial Catalan Derby between league leaders Barcelona and Espanyol.
A white car is seen in videos shared on social networks stopping outside the RCDE Stadium, the home of Espanyol, located in Barcelona.
The vehicle then speeds past a crowd, knocking down several Espanyol fans.
As the car drives away, armed police and angry supporters can be seen chasing it.
Catalan Police said that a woman had been arrested in connection with the incident. Several supporters required urgent medical attention.
Twelve minor injuries have been reported, with three hospitalised.
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The incident took place 90 minutes prior to the match between Espanyol and Barcelona. Home supporters were waiting for their team buses.
Espanyol fans vacated seats five minutes into the match in protest. Referee Cesar Sóto Grado received a briefing from the police in the eighth-minute.
The Catalan President, Salvador Illa was at the match and told Spanish TV Movistar PlusIt was an accident. Some people were hurt, but not severely. No major incidents are to be reported.”
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The incident hid a historic win for Barcelona. They won the La Liga championship with a victory of 2-0 over Espanyol, a team consisting of ten players.
Lamine Yamal’s and Fermin Lopez’s goals in the second half helped Barcelona to a position that was unsurmountable, with seven points ahead of Real Madrid. There are only two matches left.
The victory means that Hansi Flick has completed a domestic treble in his first season following triumphs in the Supercopa de España in January and the Copa del Rey last month.
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Espanyol sprinkled the field after the match to try and stop the celebrations of the visitors.
Officials were afraid of a repeat derby from May 2023, when Barcelona won La Liga at the expense their Catalan rivals. Barcelona’s celebrations in May 2023 were cut short when Espanyol fans invaded the pitch to attack their team after dancing around the center circle.
