Spanish police detain 32 in deadly Deportivo riot probe

Madrid: Spanish police detained Tuesday 32 people in a probe into a riot before a league match in which a fan of the football club Deportivo died after being thrown into a river.

Those detained included the two people suspected of causing the death, police said in a statement, adding that the operation was ongoing and that further arrests were possible.

A 43-year-old man died after being beaten and pushed into a river in the brawl in which dozens of rioters rampaged with metal bars and knives near Atletico Madrid`s Vicente Calderon stadium on November 30.

A video camera captured the moment when the man -- a member of the Deportivo hardcore fan group Riazor Blues -- was heaved over the embankment into the freezing river by his adversaries.

Medics said at least 11 other people were lightly injured, including a police officer, in the brawl.

Police took 21 people into custody on the day of the brawl, all members of radical fan groups from Deportivo and Atletico, as well as two other Madrid clubs, Rayo Vallecano and Alcorcon.

None of those who were detained that day were suspected of involvement in the death of the Deportivo fan.

Spanish football authorities and the government have vowed to banish members of violent and abusive supporters` groups known as "ultras" from stadiums and their surroundings following the brawl.

Spain`s Football Federation and the government-controlled Higher Sports Council have said tougher sanctions for clubs over violent behaviour by supporters will come into force before the end of the year.

Closing off the areas inside stadiums where "ultras" gather and stepping up efforts to identify groups with violent tendencies and prevent them from gathering near stadiums on matchdays are among the steps being considered.