RCD Espanyol are keen to avoid any off-field issues ahead of the derby against FC Barcelona on January 3.
Sitting fifth in the table and just two points off the Champions League places, the Pericos will host their eternal rivals in a fixture that is always tense, made even more sensitive this season by the controversial return of former Espanyol player Joan Garcia, now with Barça.
A season full of optimism
As confirmed by Mundo Deportivo, Espanyol have begun installing protective netting behind the goals at Cornellà-El Prat to prevent potential object-throwing during the match and, crucially, to avoid sanctions that could damage what has been their most promising campaign in years.
The team are firmly established in the European places after stringing together five consecutive domestic victories—something they had not achieved since the distant 1998–99 season.
Unsurprisingly, the Standing Committee of Spain’s State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport has officially classified the derby as a high-risk match.
It is also worth recalling that after Espanyol’s 1–0 win over Elche on October 25, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Disciplinary Committee opened proceedings over chants directed at Joan Garcia inside the white-and-blue stadium.
According to the disciplinary report, “in the 35th minute, a group of home supporters located in the Gol Cornellà—sections 109, 110 and 111—and members of the ‘Grada Canito’ supporters’ section, collectively and in a coordinated manner, chanted for approximately 20 seconds ‘We want Joan’s head,’ referring to FC Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia.”
In addition, a group of Elche supporters were reported to have chanted “Puta Barça” for around 15 seconds in the 42nd minute.
