Bottle Throw at Courtois Sparks Post-Match Chaos at El Sadar as Police Make Two Arrests
Police were forced to intervene after Osasuna fans clashed with private security following their win over Real Madrid, with two arrested after a bottle was thrown at Courtois.
A brilliant Osasuna victory over Real Madrid was overshadowed by ugly scenes inside El Sadar after the final whistle, with Spanish National Police stepping in to restore order following a post-match confrontation that left two people under arrest.
What Kicked It All Off
The trouble had its roots in something that happened during the match itself. A fan in the South Stand lobbed a small bottle onto the pitch in the direction of Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian keeper, fair play to him, didn’t just leave it — he handed the object straight to the referee, who immediately flagged it to the Osasuna club delegate and had a warning broadcast over the stadium PA.
So far, so manageable. Except it wasn’t.
After the Final Whistle
Once the game ended — with Osasuna having done the business against Madrid, which is obviously a massive result — private security staff made their way to the South Stand to track down the fan responsible for the throw. That’s when things went proper pear-shaped.
- A confrontation broke out in and around the South Stand exterior
- What was described as a full-on brawl developed between fans and security
- The Policía Nacional were called in to intervene
- Two individuals were arrested as a result
By all accounts, supporters who were simply trying to leave the ground after celebrating a famous win found themselves caught up in scenes of panic — which is obviously the last thing anyone wants after a night like that.
Osasuna’s Response
The club moved fairly quickly to put out a statement, though it was brief. Osasuna said they would be opening an internal investigation into the incidents, and acknowledged the distressing images that emerged from inside the stadium after full time. They specifically flagged the panic caused among members who were leaving the ground mid-celebration — which, given the context, is a pretty grim contrast.
The Bigger Picture
Look, Osasuna beating Real Madrid is the kind of result that gets Pamplona buzzing. El Sadar is one of the most atmospheric grounds in LaLiga on a big night, and the fans there are genuinely passionate. But a bottle being launched at a goalkeeper — regardless of who it is — is never on, and the chaos that followed has put a proper dent in what should’ve been a night of pure joy for the rojillos.
Two arrests, a club investigation, and a load of frightened supporters trying to get out of a stadium — none of that needed to happen. Hopefully the internal review gets to the bottom of it sharpish.