Atlético de Madrid has confirmed that next Saturday, October 24, it will celebrate its traditional Day of the Supporters' Clubs, a day designed to honor the fans who support the club with their supporters' clubs throughout Spain and abroad. The event will coincide with the match against Deportivo de la Coruña, which will be played at 9:00 p.m. at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium. The club has organized a series of activities for attendees and has decided to dedicate a special tribute to the Asturian clubs, taking advantage of the coincidence of the date so that the majority of attendees can enjoy a celebration the next day, Sunday.
The date has generated some controversy. Due to the high demand for tickets, Atlético has chosen not to sell tickets to Deportivo de la Coruña, which has caused indignation among Galician fans. The decision was made after an official communication to the A Coruña club, where it was explained that the large influx of clubs, many of which are non-subscribing members, would have exceeded the capacity of the stadium. Furthermore, Atlético's recent season ticket regulations have been very successful, ensuring that the Metropolitano is filled for most of the season's matches, even in less important matches such as Osasuna or Málaga.
Deportivo, who have not played in the First Division since the 2017-18 season and who have not visited the Metropolitano since April 2018, lost the match 1-0 against Atlético, with a goal from Gameiro. Blue and white fans, who had been looking forward to the opportunity to see the club in such an iconic stadium, were frustrated by the lack of access. A wave of protests has been seen on social networks, as Deportivo and its followers consider that the measure unfairly affects the supporters of Galicia.
The conflict is not only limited to ticket sales. The relationship between the fans of both teams, the Riazor Blues and the Frente Atlético, has been strained after the death of the player Jimmy in 2014, which has increased the rivalry between the supporters clubs. Atlético has tried to avoid potential clashes during the event, but the decision to restrict ticket sales has exacerbated tension between fan communities.
In view of the controversy, the club has assured that the measure was taken to guarantee the safety and order of the event, given the large influx expected. The Day of the Clubs will continue to be scheduled for October 24, with the expectation that, despite the criticism, fans from all clubs will be able to participate in the activities and enjoy the tribute that Atlético de Madrid has prepared for them.