A police officer died on Thursday in the city of Bilbao, in northern Spain, after clashes with violent fans of Spartak Moscow before a Europa League match against Athletic Bilbao.
The officer died in the hospital, where he had been taken after suffering a heart attack when the regional police of the Basque Country - known as the Ertzaintza - tried to stop a street battle between fans of both teams, authorities said.
At least five people were arrested in the operation.
Condolences from Zidane
"We are very sorry for what happened," said Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane about the police officer who died on Thursday in Bilbao in the clashes between ultras of Athletic and Spartak Moscow, before a Europa League match.
"We think of his family, which is the most important thing. I do not like violence, when these things happen it is very difficult to understand, we hope that such things do not happen again in a football stadium," said the Frenchman.
In the clashes between ultras of Athletic and Spartak Moscow, teams that played the second leg of the Europa League round of 16, an officer of the Ertzaintza, the Basque police, died of a heart attack, the Basque security department said in a statement, clarifying that the death was not directly caused by trauma from the disturbances.
Condemnation of violence
The Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, offered his condolences and condemned the violence on his Twitter account.
"My condolences to the family and colleagues of the officer who died in Bilbao and my recognition to the @ertzaintzaEJGV for their efforts to protect those who know how to enjoy sports. I strongly condemn the violent incidents," he said.
Spartak won 1-2 the second leg of the round of 16 of the second European club competition, but was eliminated after losing 3-1 in Moscow.
Russia is hosting the World Cup this year and local authorities are introducing strong security measures to control radical fans, including their own country, who caused problems at the 2016 Euro Cup in France and other sporting events. (D)