Espanyol lost in a dramatic way of Real Betis on Sunday evening, when Antony shot a brilliant curly effort to win the game in the last minute. However, the consequences can go beyond their position in the table.
Antony's goal would win 2-1 for Betis, but not before a long delay in the procedure. In the aftermath of the goal, three lighters were thrown on the field at Betis goalkeeper Adrian Sanchez, as was reflected in the report by referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez. The competition was stopped and an announcement was made that it would not start again until the incidents stopped, according to Diario ALS.
Attention will now focus on the disciplinary procedure that will follow. Espanyol was punished earlier this season for a similar incident in October, when Villarreal Espanyol beat 2-1 in the RCDe stage. A cup was thrown at referee Alejandro Quintero Gonzalez, with his chest. At the moment it was considered that Espanyol would escape a ban, but it was sanctioned with a suspended stadium ban of one game and a fine of € 3k, which means that if there were further violations of a similar offenses of a similar nature this season, they would be confronted with a stadium closure.
Espanyol lost home since October for the first time, but now travel to Leganes in a crucial relegation collision. Los Pericos are probably safe, with a seven -pointed gap for Las Palmas, but Los Pepineros will be in despair mode, and their next home game is against Bitter Rivals Barcelona in the Catalan derby.
If the authorities decide to follow that punishment, this may mean that the derby takes place without fans. If Barcelona defeated Real Madrid on Sunday, the Blaugrana La Liga could win in the house of their rivals for the second time in three years too. That game ended in a pitch -invastion of Espanyol -fans when they tried to get to the Barcelona players and saw the season open in Segunda without fans. It will all depend on the speed of the authorities and what measures they are taking now.