Atletico facing partial stadium ban following incidents against Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid could well be facing a partial closure of their stadium following the incidents in the Madrid derby on Sunday night, after the game was suspended for 15 minutes. After initially being warned by the loudspeaker, fans in the Fondo Sur continued to launch objects, mainly lighters, at Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Los Colchoneros could be facing punishment for the actions of the Fondo Sur, one of whom has already been identified by the club and police. Marca say that while Atletico were able to escape a partial stadium closure after Nico Williams was racially abused in April by proving it was an isolated incident and their security forces took preventative action, this will not be the case this time round.

They contend that Atletico could face a fine as well as a partial stadium closure for two to three games for the Fondo Sur, due to the fact there were multiple objects thrown and they did not stop initially. Meanwhile Relevo say that the fact Courtois was not struck by an object may see lighter measures taken.

Their view is that according to protocol, Atletico should face a €6k fine with a one-game ban for fans in the Fondo Sur. They note that the appeals system tends to reduce sentences though, with Real Betis seeing their three-game partial closure reduced to just a fine after Joan Jordan was struck with a plastic stick. Valencia had their five-game partial closure reduced to three and a fine after racial abuse towards Vinicius Junior.

Atletico face Leganes at home next on the 20th of October, before home ties with Las Palmas and Alaves. Los Rojiblancos have condemned the actions of the fans that threw objects, while Diego Simeone has also asked for them to not come back.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes Sunday's derby draw with Atletico Madrid could prove to be an important result in the future, despite their last-gasp concession.

Madrid were on course to move within a point of Barcelona – who saw their unbeaten start to the season ended by Osasuna on Saturday – in LaLiga when Eder Militao opened the scoring after 64 minutes.

However, after a 15-minute stoppage due to members of the crowd throwing objects at Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Angel Correa snatched a 95th-minute leveller for Atleti.

The Argentine's strike was the first stoppage-time goal scored by Atleti in a Madrid derby this century, as both teams maintained their unbeaten starts to the campaign.

Ancelotti was frustrated to drop two points but feels the result was still a positive one, telling reporters: "It is hard to cope with a draw when we were very close to winning.

"It can happen, the opponents are very strong and have a lot of quality. Their goal was in the last minute, it's a pity. We controlled the game well, we came close.

"But I always like to think positively. We've won a point away from home and we are a point closer [to Barcelona].

"The dynamic is good, we are in contention and we don't despair, a draw here can mean a good point for the future."

Referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer took both teams off the pitch in the aftermath of Militao's opening goal as objects rained down from the stands, causing Atleti boss Diego Simeone to say Los Colchoneros "do not need these people".

Ancelotti hailed the officials' reaction to the incident and said the stoppage had not affected the flow of the game, adding: "I don't think it helped Atletico, it affected us both equally.

"We all wanted to play. The decision to stop the match was the right one. The referee said that lighters were thrown and that he had stopped the match twice, if they threw another one, he had to suspend it.

"I think it was a correct decision by the referee. It had to stop, a few things were sorted out, and we started again. Obviously, none of us liked the situation. Everyone wanted to play. The referee acted well."