Fan dies in Spanish soccer violence

A few hours before a midday kickoff at Atletico Madrid's home match against Deportivo La Coruna in a Spanish league match, fighting between groups of rival fans outside Atletico's Calderon stadium cost one man his life and caused injuries to eleven others.

Emergency services say the unnamed 43-year-old man was attacked about three hours before the match. The man found in the Manzanares river near Atletico's Stadium and was pulled out of the freezing water and treated by paramedics.

In addition to head injuries, the man suffered cardiac arrest and was hypothermic. He died of his injuries after being brought to the hospital. It is believed the man was a supporter of the guest team, Deportivo.

The clashes were between ultra fan groups who are known to organize fights connected to particular football matches in the country.

According to a tweet from Spanish police, 24 arrests have been made in connection with the fighting, which saw members of Riazor Blues (a Deportivo fan group) fighting against Frente Atletico and two other Madrid-based groups, Bukaneros (supporting Rayo) and Alkor Hooligans (Alcorcon).

The Spanish football league (LFP) said it had tried to suspend the match after the violence, but according to Spanish media, the LFP could not reach the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) in time. The game was played as scheduled, with Atletico winning 2-0.

Both teams, league officials, and representatives from the government have condemned the violence. Police escorted Deportivo fans (pictured above) away from the stadium after the match.

mz / rd (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)