Sevilla players clashed with fans in a training ground altercation as they received death threats from supporters demanding better from them.
The Spanish side are 17th in the LaLiga table – a stark contrast to where they are used to sitting: near the top and competing for and in Europe.
They find themselves just two points above Elche, who are 18th in the standings and occupy the final relegation spot with eight games to play. And their fans took it upon themselves to confront the players about it.
According to Spanish publication Marca, players were confronted by fans at the San Pablo airport after their 1-0 loss against Real Oviedo on Sunday.
Fans were reportedly heard shouting: ‘Out, go away. Sons of b****es, out’ at the players and ‘Junior, die. Show your face, coward’ at club president Jose María del Nido Carrasco.
Later, hooded ultras turned up at the training ground, triggering the club to request police assistance. Reports suggest police had to form a blockage to protect the Sevilla team.
Kike Sillas, Sevilla centre back, apologised to supporters after the game against Oviedo, who are bottom of the league with just five wins in 30 games this season.
He said: ‘It’s a really bad feeling. We want to apologise to the fans and thank everyone who traveled to support us. We couldn’t achieve anything here, and it’s a pretty tough defeat.
‘We have to get through this together. The new coaching staff will help us. We all have to stick together, also for the fans, because they don’t deserve this. We want to tell them that we’re not going to give up until the next home game.’
The appeal seems to have fallen on deaf ears, however.
Luis Garcia was appointed as Sevilla boss in March after the sacking of Matias Almeyda. It remains unclear for now, though, whether Sevilla will be playing second division football next season.
