After an automobile ploughed over a group of onlookers outside the stadium, the La Liga match between Espanyol and Barcelona was momentarily halted.
A number of Espanyol players were observed chatting with home fans behind the goal in the eighth minute of the game, after which they made a gesture in the direction of the Spanish referee.
Grado then stopped the game and addressed the police and members of both benches. Two minutes later, the game started up again.
A video of multiple fans getting struck by a car outside Espanyol’s stadium during the stoppage was shared on social media.
The incident that occurred prior to kickoff was later verified as the reason for the brief halt inside the RCDE Stadium.
Although Guillem Balague later told ITV Sport that four of the 13 injured are thought to have sustained serious injuries, Espanyol’s PA system later reported that there are considered to be no critical injuries.
Seven ambulances were later said to have had to be called out outside the stadium, and another video also reveals the presence of riot police.
The cause of the attack has not yet been established, Marca said, and Spanish police are ‘on the idea’ that the vehicle’s driver ‘lost control and it was an accident’.
The injured fans were reportedly transported to Bellvitge Hospital, which is a little more than three km from the stadium.
Large crowds of Espanyol supporters were observed leaving the stadium prior to halftime; Sport reported that they did not want the match to continue following the incident.
If Barcelona defeats their tough opponents, who are still in danger of dropping to the second division, Hansi Flick’s team will win La Liga.
However, considering their significantly better goal differential than second-place Real Madrid, who began the evening five points behind their rivals, a point would most likely be sufficient for Barcelona.
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