New footage shows Barcelona players confronting enraged Espanyol fans who had stormed the pitch and chased them through the tunnel as they celebrated LaLiga title win
Shocking new footage has shown the moment angry Espanyol fans chased Barcelona’s title winners off the pitch – before several players confronted them in the tunnel.
Barcelona’s 4-2 victory over their local rivals sealed the LaLiga title on Sunday night and the players celebrated in the center circle as the mood turned.
Espanyol fans, furious at not just Barcelona’s celebrations but their own impending relegation from the top flight, made their way through the security cordons to storm the pitch.
The ESPN footage shows Barcelona players and staff rushing to enter the safe tunnel of the RCDE stadium, with one fan coming within a few feet of them before being blocked by police.
The music video then shows Sergio Busquets, Marcos Alonso, Ronald Araujo and other Barcelona players in yellow shirts confronting supporters as police in riot gear form a barrier.
Barcelona players face angry Espanyol fans who had chased them off the pitch after their LaLiga title win as riot police tried to restore order
Dozens of Espanyol fans invaded the pitch as the Barcelona players celebrated in the centre
The new ESPN footage shows a shirtless fan charging through the tunnel and coming within a few feet of the Barcelona players before riot police intervene
Incredible video capture – Barca players barely made it through the tunnel and Espanyol fans came so close to attack them, Busquets, Alonso, Araujo all just meters from them in the tunnel.
Video¿ via @ESPNFC
pic.twitter.com/Ik3UngKQRw— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) May 14, 2023
In the end, the Barcelona players retreat to the dressing room, where they could start their celebration well.
Club president Joan Laporta was in the thick of the festivities as the players danced around with glee.
Wearing his best suit and tie, Laporta was drenched in water before plunging into the midst of the celebrations.
Barca secured their 27th league title with a 4-2 victory over their nearest neighbours.
Xavi’s players clapped hands and bounced around the center circle at the final whistle, but the mood quickly changed as Espanyol fans rushed onto the pitch.
Video footage shows the Barça players racing towards the tunnel, while the home fans, some with guns, were not too friendly about celebrating their rivals.
None of the players were injured as they hastily retreated, with riot police blocking the tunnel entrance.
But the new video shows how close some fans got to the Barça players.
Espanyol’s Ultras stormed the pitch on Sunday evening to confront the Barcelona players
Barcelona were confirmed LaLiga champions and they celebrated on the pitch
However, rival supporters were not happy with the festivities and attacked
The ring broke and players darted toward the locker room as fans poured onto the pitch
“It’s normal to celebrate, but I understand that we’re not at home and we can’t be disrespectful,” Xavi said after the game.
Relegated Espanyol were shocking on the night and well beaten by a Barcelona side led by Robert Lewandowski.
He scored the opening goal of the game on 11 minutes from Alejandro Balde’s assist and it was Balde who scored the second of the game on 20 minutes.
Five minutes before the break, Lewandowski scored his 21st goal of the season and his second of the night to make it 3-0 before the break.
He faded badly after the World Cup, but has come back strong in the run-up and will finish the season not only as champion, but top scorer in LaLiga.
The fans then turned their anger on the board as they still face the threat of relegation
Espanyol have conceded 16 goals in their last seven games and have four games left this year
Their fans made it clear that they felt that what the team has produced is not good enough
Jules Kounde got Barcelona’s fourth on 53 minutes and Barcelona finally calmed down allowing Javi Puado and Joselu to make the score more respectable.
“It’s a great feeling,” Xavi said. ‘It’s good work. This started in July and after months of work and sacrifice we have reached our goal. The fans and the club deserve it, it gives us stability and certainty that things are going well.
“We sealed La Liga with a fantastic performance. We were brilliant tonight. The team relaxed at the end and Espanyol showed pride.’