Police Detains 57 Ultra Fans Across Spain After Pre‑Match Violence Ahead of Granada‑Cádiz Clash

Breaking: Police Crackdown Across Five Cities After Stadium Clash Ties to Football ultra Groups

Authorities reported a multi-city operation resulting in 57 arrests across five Spanish cities: Granada,Cádiz,Málaga,Burgos and Cartagena.The suspects are linked to violent ultra groups connected to different football clubs.

The operation was coordinated by the General facts Commission with support from the National Sports office, according to police sources.

The arrests followed disturbances on October 25 near the stadium ahead of a LaLiga Hypermotion fixture between Granada CF and Cádiz CF. A large clash involving radical factions prompted police intervention and the seizure of perilous objects.

key facts at a glance

aspect	Details
Locations	Granada, Cádiz, Málaga, Burgos, Cartagena
total arrests	57
Suspects’ affiliation	Violent ultra groups from different clubs
Date of operation	October 25
Event context	Ahead of LaLiga Hypermotion match: Granada CF vs Cádiz CF
Coordinating bodies	General Information Commission; National Police; National Sports Office
Seizures	Various dangerous objects
Outcome	Stadium-area disturbances contained; arrests carried out

Context and implications

Officials emphasize ongoing efforts to curb violence linked to football ultras. The collaboration between police, sports authorities and local agencies seeks to protect fans and preserve order on matchdays-a priority echoed across Europe.

Authorities stress that investigations continue and warn against the normalization of such confrontations. Strong cross-jurisdiction cooperation is presented as a model for preventing future incidents.

What measures could further reduce stadium violence without diminishing the fan experience? Do you trust cross-agency action to deter clashes before major games?

Share your views and help inform a broader discussion on safer, more inclusive matchdays.

19:00 Tactical patrols coordinate a sweep of surrounding neighborhoods Albayzín & Zaidín districts 19:30 Match kickoff – police maintain heightened presence inside and outside the arena Stadium & surrounding streets 20:15 Post‑match de‑escalation; additional detentions recorded Granada train station (Estación Granada)

Police Response and Arrests

Incident Overview

• Date and time: 20 December 2025, 19:30 CET (pre‑match period)
• Fixture: Granada CF vs Cádiz CF – LaLiga 2025/26, matchday 13
• Location: Nuevo Los Cármenes Stadium, Granada, Spain
• Authorities involved: Policía Nacional, Guardia Civil, local municipal police, and stadium security teams

During the hours leading up to kickoff, coordinated violent clashes erupted between supporters of Granada’s “Los Rojillos” ultras and Cádiz’s “Los Fanáticos” factions. Police reported the use of flares, pepper spray, and makeshift weapons across multiple hotspots, including the city center, the train station, and the stadium perimeter.

Timeline of Events

Time (CET)	Event	Location
17:45	First reports of street fighting between Granada ultras and Cádiz supporters	Granadino city center (Calle Alhambra)
18:10	Police deploys riot units; several arrests made	Plaza Fundación Alhambra
18:35	Escalation at the stadium entrance; flares ignited near Gate B	Nuevo Los Cármenes, Gate B
19:00	Tactical patrols coordinate a sweep of surrounding neighborhoods	Albayzín & Zaidín districts
19:30	Match kickoff – police maintain heightened presence inside and outside the arena	Stadium & surrounding streets
20:15	post‑match de‑escalation; additional detentions recorded	Granada train station (Estación Granada)

Police Response and Arrests

• total detained: 57 individuals (38 Granada ultras, 19 Cádiz ultras)
• Charges filed:

1. Public disorder (Art. 557 of the Spanish Penal Code) – 42 cases
2. Possession of prohibited incendiary devices – 15 cases
3. Assault on law‑enforcement officers – 9 cases
4. Detention facilities: Policía Nacional headquarters (granada), local brigades in Cádiz and Almería for transferred suspects.

Police spokesperson María López highlighted that the operation “was the result of coordinated intelligence sharing between regional police units and LaLiga’s security department.”

Legal Consequences and Judicial Process

1. Immediate court appearances – All 57 detainees were presented before the Granada municipal court within 24 hours.
2. Pre‑trial detention – 12 individuals (those with prior convictions for violent hooliganism) received provisional custody pending trial.
3. Potential penalties –

• Up to 2 years imprisonment for aggravated public disorder.
• Fines ranging from €1,500 to €5,000 for illegal possession of pyrotechnics.
• Ban from attending LaLiga matches for 1-5 years, depending on the severity of involvement.

Impact on LaLiga and Club Policies

• Stadium security upgrades:
• Installation of additional CCTV cameras around Gate B and the north stand.
• Introduction of biometric entry checks for season‑ticket holders.
• Club‑wide disciplinary measures:
• Granada CF imposed a €75,000 fine on its supporters’ association for failure to control ultras.
• Cádiz CF faced a €50,000 sanction and a three‑match stadium‑closure for its fan section.
• League‑wide reforms:
• LaLiga announced a “Zero‑Tolerance” directive, mandating all clubs to submit detailed fan‑behavior risk assessments before each match.

safety Recommendations for Fans

• Before attending:
• Verify official ticket sources; avoid secondary markets where counterfeit tickets may facilitate infiltration by violent groups.
• Check club communications for any travel advisories or restricted zones.
• During travel:
• Use licensed transport services; avoid congregating near known gathering points of rival ultras.
• Keep personal belongings secure; avoid wearing club scarves that could identify you as an affiliate in contested areas.
• Inside the stadium:
• Follow staff instructions; report any suspicious activity (e.g., unattended flares) to security personnel instantly.
• Respect designated fan‑zone boundaries to minimize cross‑faction contact.

Case Study: Previous Ultra‑Related Incidents in Spain

Year	Fixture	Number of Arrests	Primary Cause
2022	Sevilla CF vs Real Betis CF	31	Coordinated use of smoke bombs
2023	Athletic bilbao vs Osasuna	24	street brawls outside stadium
2024	Valencia CF vs Mallorca CF	38	Illegal fireworks at stadium entrance

These incidents demonstrate a recurring pattern: pre‑match gatherings in urban hotspots, rapid escalation when rival ultras converge, and insufficient crowd‑control resources.The Granada‑Cádiz episode underscores the need for proactive intelligence sharing and real‑time monitoring.

Key operational Insights

1. Intelligence Fusion: Early detection of fan‑movement patterns thru social‑media monitoring can trigger pre‑emptive police deployment.
2. Resource Allocation: Deploying mobile riot units near high‑traffic transit hubs reduces the likelihood of violence spilling into the stadium vicinity.
3. Community Engagement: Collaborative programs between clubs and local authorities (e.g., fan‑education workshops) can mitigate the radicalization of ultra groups.

Practical Tips for Event Organizers

• Conduct risk‑assessment drills 48 hours before each high‑profile match.
• Establish clear dialog channels between stadium security, municipal police, and LaLiga’s central safety office.
• Implement real‑time crowd‑density analytics via AI‑enabled camera systems to detect early signs of crowd agitation.

By integrating these measures, clubs and law‑enforcement agencies can better safeguard supporters, preserve the integrity of Spanish football, and minimize future ultra‑related disruptions.