Barcelona, Spain — What was meant to be a celebration of football turned into a moment of panic, as at least 13 people were injured in an “accidental collision” outside the stadium hosting Wednesday night’s highly anticipated La Liga clash between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol.
According to Catalan police, a white car drove into a crowd gathered near the venue shortly before kickoff. Emergency services swiftly responded, confirming that while nine people sustained minor injuries, four others were in “less than serious” condition. The driver of the vehicle was arrested on-site, and authorities have since confirmed there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
“The situation is under control and in no case poses a risk to the people inside the sports facility,” police said in a statement.
Social media videos verified by CNN show the vehicle navigating through a dense gathering in a park adjacent to the stadium. The footage, both shocking and chaotic, underscores the increasingly fragile line between fandom and public safety.
Despite the incident, the match went ahead as planned, with FC Barcelona sealing a 2-0 victory over their city rivals — a result that crowned them champions of the 2024-25 La Liga season. But even the title celebration was marked by disorder, as stadium sprinklers bizarrely activated during the post-match festivities.
The tension escalated late in the match when Espanyol’s Leandro Cabrera received a red card for elbowing 17-year-old Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. The already heated atmosphere turned chaotic both on and off the pitch.
When Does Passion Cross the Line?
The Barcelona-Espanyol rivalry has long been more than just a football fixture. Rooted in nearly a century of competition, it reflects the deep political and cultural divides within Catalonia. FC Barcelona, often seen as a symbol of Catalan identity and autonomy, stands in contrast to Espanyol, traditionally aligned with pro-Spanish unity sentiments.
When these two ideologies collide on the football field, emotions run high — but Wednesday’s incident raises deeper questions.
When does passion cross the line?
When does loyalty turn into recklessness?
And how can clubs, authorities, and fans collectively ensure that the sport remains a place of unity, not unrest?
As Barcelona celebrates another title, the events outside the stadium are a sobering reminder: the spirit of the game should inspire joy, not jeopardy.
