Italian ultras head to Seville as police find local radicals with Atlético and Real Sociedad | OneFootball

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Spain’s National Police have identified five Italian ultras travelling with Atlético Madrid radicals to Seville for the Copa del Rey final.

Officers intercepted two buses before Écija, near La Carlota in Córdoba, identifying 91 people and seizing prohibited items. Spray, rubber pieces and a significant number of wooden sticks were confiscated.

Later in the capital, police identified 60 Real Sociedad ultras and took up to 95 metal rods, along with mouthguards, gloves and back protectors. They also seized so-called ultra caps with internal protectors, described as a first in the city and possibly nationwide, and will investigate their use and spread.

Sub-delegate of the Government in Seville, Francisco Toscano, briefed media alongside Francisco López Gordon, who coordinates the operation, the Western Andalusia police chief, María Dolores, and Nacho López Gancorria. He said the night was long and difficult but, thanks to planning and execution, there were no serious incidents.

Toscano noted local ultras were embedded among travelling groups, saying ties appear ideological rather than football related. He said no groups arrived from elsewhere in Andalucía.

Two further buses were stopped this morning, taking the tally to 160 identifications. There have been no confrontations and no arrests, and authorities do not track whether these groups hold tickets, but are monitoring movements by drone and high-resolution helicopter.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo