GiveMeSport
·13 February 2023
GiveMeSport
·13 February 2023
Football fans invading the pitch is nothing new, although surely after the event they’ll regret that decision when handed with police sanctions as well as probable bans from certain grounds or even all grounds for however long it deems fit.
One fan who will regret that decision instantly after encroaching on the field of play will be a Deportes Tolima fan. He was at the Colombian top tier clash between Millionarios and Deportes Tolima when he decided to cause carnage.
The fan was quick to get the act done, leaping over the barriers just before the first whistle, setting his sights on Millionarios player, Daniel Catano who was performing his pre-match warm-up routine, stretching out one last time before kick-off.
In true cowardly fashion, the 31-year-old fan ran over to the midfielder, ambushing him with a punch to the back of a head before setting his sights on the stands again, trying to run away from the player he just assaulted.
It didn’t go to plan for the vile fan who tried to move away from a steward, but in doing so, gave Catano time to catch him, who understandably was outraged and looked to extract revenge. He did so, frantically running at the fan and almost jumping on his back as he bundled him to the floor.
Catano was quicker than both the security and his teammates to the fan who surely regretted his decision as soon as he was caught by the midfielder who took him to the floor. However, he was reprimanded by the official who sent him off before the first whistle was even blown.
The Deportes Tolima fan attacked Catano with no real motive, however, given the fact he used to play for Deportes Tolima, the fan may have been angry at his decision to leave the club for Millionaires.
Understandably outraged with the red card, Millionaires walked off and refused to play, with the clash eventually being postponed. One thing that wasn’t postponed however, was the controversy as that continued way after the match was called off.
The Deportes Tolima president accused the opposition of sabotage by withdrawing from the game altogether, although let’s be real here. The safety of the players is of paramount importance, a sentiment backed up by Millionaires captain, David Silva who claimed: “Safety of the coaching staff, players, is above anything else. We have to set a precedent so that we educate ourselves as a society. We have to take care of each other."