Valencia won't file complaint over bottle incident at Ciutat derby
Club opts against formal action after Comert was struck by a bottle following post-match scuffle at Levante, despite video evidence circulating on social media.
Valencia CF have decided against filing an official complaint after defender Eray Comert was struck by a bottle thrown from the stands following Sunday’s heated derby at the Ciutat de València.
Bottle incident after final whistle
The Swiss centre-back found himself in hot water after using a corner flag to improvise a makeshift Valencia flag with his shirt following the match - a gesture that sparked fury among the home supporters. As Comert was leaving the pitch, escorted by teammate Copete and a security guard, bottles rained down from the main stand.
One of these projectiles struck Comert on the chin just before he disappeared down the tunnel. Another reportedly grazed the head of a member of Levante’s private security team.
The incident occurred several minutes after the final whistle when the officials were already in the dressing room, meaning it wasn’t included in the referee’s match report.
Valencia’s stance on the matter
Despite video evidence circulating on social media, Valencia have confirmed they won’t be taking any further action. Club sources cite the good institutional relationship between the two clubs and the context surrounding the incident as reasons for not pursuing sanctions against their city rivals.
In fact, both Valencia manager Carlos Corberán and club representative César Tárrega apologised for Comert’s behaviour in post-match comments. Comert himself took to social media, stating he hadn’t intended to “humiliate” Levante and understood why people might view his actions as disrespectful.
Potential La Liga intervention
However, Valencia’s decision not to file a complaint doesn’t necessarily mean the matter is closed:
- La Liga could include the incident in their standard post-match report submitted to the Competition Committee every Tuesday
- These reports typically cover offensive chants, security issues, and incidents like objects being thrown from the stands
- La Liga sources suggest it’s “very likely” the bottle throwing and player impact will be mentioned
- The Competition Committee could then independently assess the severity of the incident
It’s a proper derby day dust-up that’s ended with both clubs seemingly keen to put the matter to bed, though the authorities might still have the final say. As we say in London, it could still be a case of “trouble and strife” for Levante if La Liga decide to make an example of the incident.