Marko Dmitrovic got the fright of his life on Thursday evening in the final phase of PSV – Sevilla (2-0). The goalkeeper of the Andalusians was suddenly attacked from behind by a fan of the home team in stoppage time. The supporter flew Dmitrovic in the neck, but was soon overpowered. He has since been transferred to the police station. In conversation with Mundo Deportivo the Serbian closing post responds to the incident.
“We were already in injury time,” said Dmitrovic. “A fan came on the field, pushed me from behind, looked at me and tried to hit me. He stroked my nose and neck a little bit. I wanted to hit him, but that’s not good. If you want to hit you have to signing up for a sport like boxing. Football doesn’t deserve these things.” The goalie suffered a scratch on his neck, among other things. The man was directed to the sidelines by security personnel. PSV may be facing a very severe punishment from UEFA.
Dmitrovic was only told just before the game that he had to keep, as Yassine Bounou dropped out injured. “There is always a fan who is drunk or crazy. But this should never happen. I hope they punish him severely,” Dmitrovic continues. “It was a complete surprise to me because you are completely focused on the game. Suddenly I got a push. I’ve never been in a situation like that before, but I know how to defend myself. The most important thing is that we placed are for the next round.”
The PSV camp has also responded to the incident. Ruud van Nistelrooij strongly disapproves of the action. “Supporters don’t belong on the field. Attacking players is unthinkable,” it quotes Eindhovens Dagblad from the mouth of the PSV trainer. General director Marcel Brands argues for a severe punishment. “If it’s up to me, it will be a lifelong stadium ban. He also dupes PSV and all other supporters. I think this moment is worse than the elimination. It does not belong to PSV at all. We are responsible as organizers and will of course evaluate this with our stewards. It is unbelievable that someone from the opponent is attacked.”
Brands is going to fight for a very heavy punishment, he says. “I don’t know who it is yet, but we will of course hear something from the police. Unfortunately, we have to deal with people like this in society. Our own supporters are also furious with him and he has already had a few blows, I understand. It is very serious what happened here and this in turn causes a reaction because our people do not accept this.”