Real Madrid and Atletico stars removed from pitch as chaos ensues after fans throw objects

Both sets of players were removed from the field during the Madrid derby after furious Atletico fans threw lighters and other objects onto the playing surface. Tensions flared shortly after Eder Militao opened the scoring for Real Madrid at the home of their cross-town rivals.

The goal sparked chaotic scenes in the stands, with Atletico fans throwing objects at Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after he celebrated in front of them. Play was quickly suspended when referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer took quick action to protect the players.

Before heading down the tunnel, a handful of Atletico players approached the furious fans behind the goal to try to calm them down. Diego Simeone was seen begging them to stop throwing objects so the game could continue.

At one point the unsavory scenes threatened to escalate into outright violence, with the stadium commentator warning that the match would be abandoned if order was not restored.

The situation finally calmed down and the match was able to resume, with both teams each completing a short warm-up before resuming play.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, who was covering the match as a pundit on ITV, was highly critical of the Atletico fans behind the goal and urged the Spanish authorities to quell the unrest and violent behavior during football matches.

“There’s something wrong,” he said. “This group of fans is very well known for [that] behavior. This group of supporters, the Atletico Madrid ultras, are going to the Youth Champions League because there is not much police and they are behaving scandalously.

“I don't think Atletico Madrid have been strong enough with their own ultras and it's getting to a point where things are getting out of control. In some parts of Spain, if the clubs aren't strong enough, they believe that they can get away with it even if there are more police.

“In some cases, individual behavior has been reported by all supporters. Despite this, this particular group of supporters protect themselves. La Liga has tried to [stop] all this while dragging people into court, and as a result people going to prison.

“Maybe there is a law in Spain that needs to be a little stricter, but anyway, La Liga uses every weapon possible to stop all kinds of things, but not much has happened. “

Atletico then salvaged the tie in stoppage time, with Angel Correa slotting the ball over the line in the 95th minute. He was initially sent off for a handball before a VAR intervention overturned the referee's decision, allowing the goal to stand.

There was more late drama before the final whistle, with Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente receiving a straight red card for a rash challenge on Fran Garcia.