After a four-year drought, FC Barcelona are LaLiga winners once again. The blaugrana secured their 27th league title on Sunday after beating local rivals Espanyol 4-2 in the Catalan derby, but the fireworks did not end after the final whistle.
In a shocking scene, Espanyol supporters made their way onto the pitch at RCDE Stadium, a development that forced Bara’s players and coaches to continue their celebrations in the dressing room.
Fans rush toward Bara players
After the win and the title were confirmed, Barcelona players and personnel began dancing around in the center circle. That’s when cameras picked up movement behind one of the goals.
Angered Espanyol “ultras” — the club’s most vocal, if not radical, supporters — interpreted the celebrations as a provocation. Some of them charged and blew past security on their way to the field.
Fortunately, Bara‘s players were able to flee for safety before any of the incensed fans reached them.
Espanyol’s loss Sunday damaged the team’s chances of LaLiga survival, which further contributed to the ultras’ rage. The Parakeets are four points adrift of safety with four games to play, and their propsects of staying up appear slim.
Espanyol fans invaded the RCDE Stadium pitch after full time on Sunday.
Laporta celebration goes viral
Meanwhile, a jubilant Bara‘s title celebrations continued away from the danger on the field. Club president Joan Laporta joined players and coaches in the visiting dressing room in a moment that has taken hold on social media.
Though Laporta has come in for criticism for mortgaging the club’s future following the activation of last summer’s “economic levers,” there can be no denying the quick cash injection paid immediate dividends for Xavi‘s side.
Despite some wobbles in recent months, new acquisitions Jules Kound and Robert Lewandowski ensured Barcelona would be rewarded for being LaLiga’s most consistent team this season.
