Betis game abandoned after keeper hit by bottle

MADRID – Real Betis’s Primera Liga match against Athletic Bilbao was abandoned on Saturday after visiting goalkeeper Armando was struck by a bottle thrown by a fan.

Bilbao were leading 2-1 during the second half at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera stadium when a fan behind the goal threw what looked like a small plastic bottle full of liquid at Armando. The keeper, who had gone to get the ball for a goalkick, was treated on the pitch and taken off on a stretcher.Referee Carlos Clos Gomez stopped the game with about 18 minutes left.”Armando suffered a blow to the right eye and has bruising and a cut in the same area.He has had stitches,” Bilbao said on their Web site (www.athletic-club.net).Betis’s Web site (www.realbetisbalompie.es) said: “The aggressor was immediately detained by the stadium’s private security and will be prevented from attending future sporting events.”It is not the first time such an incident has occurred at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera.Nampa-ReutersThe keeper, who had gone to get the ball for a goalkick, was treated on the pitch and taken off on a stretcher.Referee Carlos Clos Gomez stopped the game with about 18 minutes left.”Armando suffered a blow to the right eye and has bruising and a cut in the same area.He has had stitches,” Bilbao said on their Web site (www.athletic-club.net).Betis’s Web site (www.realbetisbalompie.es) said: “The aggressor was immediately detained by the stadium’s private security and will be prevented from attending future sporting events.”It is not the first time such an incident has occurred at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera.Nampa-Reuters