Spanish Football: 162 people arrested as police target violent extremist groups

Spanish police said they had “neutralised” dozens of meetings arranged between groups of violent football fans this season.

National Police announced they have arrested 162 people linked to extremist football groups so far in the 2025-2026 campaign.

They say they have stopped “several planned clashes” between rival groups of ultras, including intercepting a planned clash between the Atletico Madrid and Sevilla groups in early November.

National police say they have found “materials hidden in the bush” that will allegedly be used to attack rival groups.

Another example given was the arrest of 14 individuals ahead of an alleged planned “meeting” between ultras from city rivals Sevilla and Real Betis, before the two teams played in La Liga.

The 162 arrests came as part of 15 operations across Spain throughout the season.

Police said they have a “zero-tolerance policy for extremist and violent behaviour.”

They added, “Most of the detainees are involved in crimes of quarrels, disturbance of public order, injuries, and belonging to a criminal group.”

He added, “The prevailing picture of detainees is men between the ages of 18 and 40, with a history of crimes related to public order, and who are linked to extremist factions with different ideologies.”