Diego Simeone called for punishment for Atletico Madrid fans who disrupted the Madrid derby against Real Madrid by throwing objects at opposing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while warning that players who “provoke” fans should “be careful” must be.

The Madrid derby at the Metropolitano was halted for 15 minutes midway through the second half as home fans threw rockets at Courtois after Eder Militao’s opener for the visitors.

The objects, including lighters and bottles, were thrown from the area of ​​the stadium where the Atlético ultras were standing, causing the referee to temporarily halt the game as the players left the pitch.

During the suspension, Simeone and Atletico captain Koke pleaded with the Ultras to stop so the game could continue. When they did, Atletico salvaged a draw when Angel Correa equalized in the 96th minute.

Simeone said Atlético “needed” the fans who threw objects at Courtois, but the coach also pointed out that the Belgium international was responsible for celebrating the Atletico ultras after Militao’s goal, saying that those who “provoke” should also be punished.

“In my opinion, people who committed incidents should be punished by the club. We don’t need these people,” Simeone said DAZN. “We need people to accompany and support us. They harm the club, but be careful: this does not justify the creation of the situations that we as protagonists create.

“We all have to help. Obviously it’s not right for the fans to throw lighters like what happened at the Bernabeu when Courtois was our player and was hit in the head with a lighter.

“But we protagonists don’t help if we provoke the fans and the fans get angry. (Throwing things) is wrong, it’s not right, but we have to stay calm and understand the situation, know how to celebrate a goal without looking at the stands, with these gestures.

“People have no other option, do it in a bad way, which is not right, but we also have to try to stay calm, understand the situations, that you can celebrate a goal by celebrating it, “But not by celebrating it.” by staring at the stands, by storming into the stands, by making gestures… because then people get angry.

“Of course it is not justified, but neither is it justified in advance, otherwise we will always be victims.” The one who throws the lighter should be punished, and the one who provokes should also be punished. That way there’s no more laughter and things like that, because you’re not sanctioned you’re allowed to do things.”

Atlético Madrid released an official statement in the early hours of Monday morning saying they had already identified one of the fans who hurled objects onto the pitch and were working with police to identify other fans against the disciplinary measures would be seized.

“Atletico de Madrid would like to express its opposition to the throwing of objects from a part of the South Stand in the 68th minute of the game against Real Madrid. “The club’s security department has been working with police to locate those involved, one of whom has already been identified,” the club said in a statement.

“The association will apply the internal regulation intended for very serious cases to the people involved in this incident. These attitudes have no place in football and damage the image of a stadium that enjoyed a spectacular atmosphere with more than 70,000 spectators in the stands, the vast majority of whom demonstrated exemplary behavior.”