Drama unfolded both on and off the pitch during Espanyol’s 2-1 La Liga defeat to Real Betis on Sunday, as former club president Joan Collet was caught in a brawl inside the VIP area of the RCDE Stadium.
According to Mundo Deportivo, tensions escalated after the final whistle when Real Betis supporters in the corporate section allegedly provoked Espanyol fans. Collet, who served as Espanyol president between 2012 and 2016, initially attempted to de-escalate the heated exchange but ended up embroiled in the scuffle himself.
Images circulating on social media appear to show Collet involved in the physical confrontation, with reports suggesting he suffered minor injuries during the altercation. The former president has since declined to comment on the incident.
The off-field fracas mirrored the intensity of events on the pitch. Espanyol looked set to salvage a point after being awarded a 97th-minute penalty via VAR. However, captain Javi Puado’s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Pau López, the former Espanyol goalkeeper now playing for Betis.
To make matters worse, López appeared to make provocative gestures toward the home supporters after his save, further fueling tensions inside the stadium.
The defeat and post-match chaos summed up a frustrating evening for Espanyol, who remain under pressure in their bid to climb the La Liga table. The incident involving Collet has sparked renewed debate around fan conduct in VIP sections, with calls for tighter security at high-profile fixtures.
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