Las Palmas fan fined €80,000 and banned for 4 years after flare incident at derby match

The State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance in Sports has unanimously agreed to impose a fine of €80,000 and a four-year ban on access to any sports venue in Spain, including the Canary (Islands), for a UD Las Palmas fan who lit a flare at the Heliodoro stadium in Santa Cruz during the match against CD Tenerife on January 7th.

The fan in question threw the lit flare into the lower stands where home team supporters were situated, creating a dangerous situation that posed a severe risk of injuries and burns to the spectators below, which included several children.

Furthermore, the Commission is suggesting an additional fine of €20,000 and a one-year ban on access to any sports venue for another UD Las Palmas fan who lit two more flares, this time in the section allocated for away fans during the same match. This incident resulted in significant smoke, fire, and sparks, contributing to a hazardous situation for the other spectators in that area and potentially causing a serious threat within the stadium.

The Commission has justified the severity of these sanctions by emphasising the dangerous conditions imposed on the rest of the spectators watching the match. It serves as a reminder to all football clubs and fans that, in strict accordance with Law 19/2007, the introduction of pyrotechnic devices into a sports venue is strictly prohibited.