Two days ago, in Vila-real (País Valencià), the members of the Bultzada fan club were attacked by Spanish National Police officers. The reason? Being Basques:
Vila-real is a safe space for Real Sociedad fans since there isn’t animosity between the teams. The Basque fans were having a few drinks with their families, children included of course. The officers entered the bar in an intimidating fashion, and began to ask for the IDs of the fans that wanted to exit the bar - mind you, this isn’t common, police officers only ask you to show your ID because they want to report you. When the organizers asked why they were doing that, policemen began charging.
Real Sociedad fans managed to control the situation and agreed to leave the bar surrounded by the officers, that then proceeded to lead them to an alley - searching for privacy - and began to beat them again. Neighbours of the surrounding buildings got to record it.
As you can see, the football fans were unarmed and the officers were many more than them. They beated them while on the floor and even the ones who put their hands up were beaten. Fans also reported being attacked with pepper spray and that the officers, after the attack, went raiding bars looking for more members of Bultzada. Policemen were heard screaming at the fans: “f*cking Basques, you haven’t the balls now, huh?”, implying that since the Basques were unarmed and obviously not terrorists they weren’t to be feared and the policemen could take revenge.
The result? Open head wounds, a broken wrist, stitches, tens of wounded people and 5 arrested.
Inside the stadium, Basque fans reported to have been frisked, had their wallets examined and been told the banners and scarfs featuring the ikurriña weren’t accepted. They also heard that most policemen were brought from Valencia because “it was going to be a brawl”.
Fans also comment that the fans of Vila-real were completely welcoming and that the atmosphere between the two groups of supporters was incredibly nice.
Just hatred towards Basque people by the Spanish National Police, as usual. And, as usual, no consequences.
