The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has named the police officer who died ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League match between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow.

Inocencio Arias García suffered a heart attack after a flare was thrown in his direction during clashes between rival fans at San Mames, the governing body revealed. A minute’s silence will be held before all matches in Spain this weekend in memory of García.

In a pair of statements on its official website, the RFEF wrote: “The Royal Spanish Football Federation wishes to convey its deepest condolences to the relatives and close friends of Inocencio A. García, a native of Ermua (Bizkaia), who belonged to the ninth promotion of the Ertzaintza (Basque police force).

Russian arrested over Euro 2016 attack that left England fan in coma Read more

“The ertzaina died at Basurto Hospital after suffering a heart attack during the clashes that occurred near the San Mames stadium before the Europa League match between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow. The agent collapsed during the police intervention that took place when the fans of both teams faced each other in the esplanade of the stadium of San Mames, and moments after a flare dropped by a Russian fan fell beside him.

“The Royal Spanish Football Federation wants to express its most resounding condemnation of all kinds of violent demonstrations by groups of fans who use sporting events to provoke incidents and riots. The Royal Spanish Football Federation recommends a minute of silence for all football stadiums in which official competitions are held during the next weekend day in memory of the deceased ertzaina.”

Police escorted Spartak fans into the stadium but a group of them allegedly started lighting fireworks and throwing flares and objects toward Athletic supporters and police officers. That escalated into fighting between both sets of fans, with five people eventually arrested. Spartak won the second leg 2-1 but Bilbao held on for a 4-3 aggregate win to reach the last 16.

In a statement, Uefa said it “strongly condemns the violent clashes which occurred in Bilbao. We are in contact with local authorities to obtain further information on these incidents.’’



The trouble came just hours after a Spartak supporter was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injuries to an English football fan who was left in a coma after riots which blighted Euro 2016. The 31-year-old was detained at a German airport while in transit to Spain. He faces up to 15 years in jail in France for attempted homicide and grievous bodily harm.

Russia hosts the World Cup this year and local authorities are putting strict security procedures in place to try to prevent violence, including from Russian fans who caused trouble at the 2016 European Championship in France.

