A BASQUE police officer died from a heart attack whilst tackling a brawl between two extremist fan clubs ahead of the European League match between Athletic de Bilbao FC and Moscow Spartak, leading for calls for the FIFA World Cup to be withdrawn from Russia.
The officer, part of the regional Ertzaintza – the Basque answer to the Guardia Civil – collapsed after successfully breaking up a fight between two of the extremists and his colleagues took his helmet off, shook him and rolled him over to try to rouse him.
When their attempts failed, Inocencio Alonso García, 51, originally from Ermua in the province of Bizkaia, or Biscay, of which Bilbao is the capital, was rushed to Basurto Hospital close to the San Mamés stadium where the match was due to be held.
He was found to be in cardiac arrest and paramedics attempted to revive him for over an hour, without success.
Among the officers who tried to bring him round was his brother, also an ertzaina who was on duty with him.
He had not suffered any injuries and no objects or persons were near him when he fell, neither is he thought to have been struck by either.
But Inocencio is said to have commented he felt 'unwell' when he first got out of the police van near the stadium.
The brawl broke out at around 19.30 on Thursday when several hundred Russian fans arrived in eight armour-plated Ertzaintza vans and, on getting out, were confronted by radical Athletic supporters.
Ertzaintza officers had already confiscated iron bars, poles and knuckle-dusters from the Bilbao fans.
Close to the stadium, firecrackers were let off, objects thrown, wheelie-bins overturned and riot police were forced to intervene.
Nine men were eventually arrested – three Russians aged between 27 and 37, a Pole aged 30 and five Basques aged between 20 and 25.
Spanish president Mariano Rajoy wholeheartedly condemned the brawl and all violence in sport, and offered his condolences to Inocencio's family, thanking the Ertzaintza for their 'continued efforts in protecting those who know how to enjoy sport properly'.
Regional president or Lehendakari Íñigo Urkullu tweeted a similar message and pledged his full support for the police, whom he said were acting 'completely in proportion'.
A furious Bilbao mayor Juan Mari Aburto offered his 'affection and support' to Inocencio's family and did not mince his words about the radicals: “You're not welcome in Bilbao!”
Spartak Moscow is said to have a radical extremist fan group described as 'some of the most dangerous and confrontational in Europe', meaning security measures were not lacking when 2,500 supporters arrived in northern Spain.
Media sources have called for the UEFA to penalise all teams with extremist groups among their fans and even stop them taking part in any international competition.
Some ask if the FIFA is 'aware of the dangers' of Russia's hosting the World Cup in light of the 'reigning insecurity' and 'professionnal nature' of violent football hooligans known to be based in the country.
