Club brass decided to take their suspension to the highest authority in the land. Real Betis look to appeal their two-match stadium ban and loss to Athletic Bilbao this past weekend after Basque goalkeeper Armando was struck with a water bottle by a Betis supporter.
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Betis board member Pepe León ripped embattled Spanish Football Federation Ángel María Villar. "I have never seen such persecution (towards Betis) since the (Franco) dictatorship," said León at a press conference on Monday evening.
Today a communicae was sent out to in which players, equipment managers, coaching staff, and others involved in the daily operations in the club talked about the punishment brought down by the Spanish Football Federation. "(The incident was) lamentable and acts like these should always be condemned". This is the way the letter starts. They talk about the punishment affecting the everyone expect the guilty party. "It’s not coherent to punish everyone because of the actions of one individual". The Betis staff also talked about praising the fans that apprehended the offender and turned him over to stadium security.
"This is an example to be followed. For the first time fans have cooperated with authorities and stood up for what was right. This should not be punished."
For León and others that back this attitude, they forgot that this is the second time in over a year that an incident like this occurred at the <a href="http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/spain/andalusia/sevilla_betis.shtml">Manuel Ruíz de Lopera</a>. In last year’s Copa del Rey, a Betis fan threw a bottle onto the pitch hitting Sevilla coach Juande Ramos on the head and knocking him out. Whether this was "progress" or whatever you want to call it, this is still the second offense and any authority will take notice. So yes, life is not fair and in these situations everyone has to pay for the stupidity of one person.
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