They propose closing El Sardinero and a million-euro fine

Real Racing Club Santander

The euphoria at the return of Racing to La Liga could end up having a very high cost. The State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport has proposed one of the harshest sanctions in recent years for the Cantabrian club following the incidents recorded during the celebration of the promotion.

The measure put forward includes the closure of Los Campos de Sport de El Sardinero for two months and a fine that could reach 200,000 euros. The proposal comes more than a month after the match against the Real Valladolid that confirmed the green-and-white team's return to the top tier of Spanish football.

From the Racing camp, they view the decision as completely disproportionate. Sources from the club have said they will appeal the sanction, believing it punishes excessively events that took place in a historic celebration for the fans.

The report prepared by the National Police and sent to Antiviolence includes several episodes that occurred after the final whistle. Among them are the invasion of the pitch by thousands of supporters, the use of flares inside the stadium and the entry of numerous people who remained outside the stadium to join in the celebrations.

According to the version collected by the state body, the mass entry created risk situations in different parts of the stadium. The report talks about crowding, falls and moments of tension at some entry gates, and also notes that one of them would have been opened by security staff, making it easier for fans to get into the venue.

The images captured during the celebration also helped document the use of pyrotechnic material. Even some of those episodes had already led to previous actions, such as the complaint filed by LaLiga after a flare appeared in the hands of the player Giorgi Guliashvili during the festivities.

The proposed sanction is based on the classification of the events as a very serious offence included in the current legislation on violence in sport. Now a process is opened in which the Racing will submit allegations in an attempt to avoid a punishment that would represent a major sporting, economic and institutional blow right after one of the most important moments in the club's recent history.

The contrast is striking for the club and its surroundings. What in Santander was experienced as an unforgettable night after fourteen years of waiting, for Antiviolence ended up turning into a file that threatens to tarnish the celebration of the return to La Liga.