MADRID, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The world of politics and sport has been fast to react following the death of a police during violent clashes between ultras of Athletic Club Bilbao and Spartak Moscow ahead of a Europa League tie between the two clubs on Thursday night.
Inocencio Aria Garcia, 51, died of heart failure during the incidents outside the San Mames Stadium which saw flares and rockets fired between rival sets of supporters, with bottles and objects such as golf balls also thrown, around 90 minutes before the 21:05 kickoff.
Athletic Club were among the first to express their regrets, offering their sympathy to the officer and his family which expressing "the strongest rejection of violence generated around football."
Meanwhile the Spanish Football Federation President, Juan Luis Larrea explained "this can't happen; ultras are the curse of football,"
Larrea looked ahead to this summer's World Cup, which will be held in Russia adding that "events such as this leave you very worried, but we hope this serious problem is well controlled."
Spain national team coach Julen Lopetegui also lamented the death and sent his sympathy to the victim's family, adding "violent groups have to be out of football now."
The Spanish Football League 'LaLiga' condemned the incidents with LaLiga President Javier Tebas saying the organization would "fight the phenomenon of ultras until it is totally eradicated," and virtually every football club in LaLiga posted a tweet expressing solidarity with Aria Garcia's family and companions.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was also quick to tweet his "condolences" to the family of the victim and his "energetic condemnation" of the violence, sentiments which were also echoed by the Spanish National Police, the Ministry of Defense and other Spanish politicians.
Meanwhile the police operation in Bilbao is ongoing given that many of the Spartak supporters do not return home until later on Friday or in some cases, on Saturday.
