Espanyol's Fan Fireworks: Will the Derby Go Dark?

In the world of football, where the drama on the pitch is often rivaled only by the drama off it, Espanyol finds itself in a bit of a pickle. Or, to put it in more relatable terms, they're the Kevin McCallister of La Liga, left home alone with the looming prospect of having no one to enjoy their Catalan Derby party against Barcelona. Yes, folks, Espanyol might be hosting this year's derby behind closed doors, and it’s not because of a new mysterious pandemic.

The reason? Well, it seems some Espanyol fans have taken a liking to channeling their inner rock stars, only instead of tossing hotel room TVs, they're chucking lighters onto the pitch. This fiery display of passion was most recently witnessed during Espanyol's 2-1 defeat to Real Betis, where Antonio’s last-minute goal was met not with applause, but with a rain of Bic lighters. It's as if the fans decided that if they couldn’t light up the scoreboard, they’d light up the pitch instead.

This behavior hasn't gone unnoticed. Referee Cuadra Fernandez, doing his best impression of a school teacher catching students passing notes in class, duly noted this in his match report. And it’s not the first time Espanyol fans have let their emotions fly like a paper plane in a classroom. Earlier in the season, during a match against Villarreal, a cup was thrown at referee Quintero Gonzalez’s head, which, while not quite on the level of a WWE move, certainly got everyone’s attention.

The repercussions of such actions are serious. Espanyol has been warned that any more shenanigans could result in a stadium closure. This means that their highly anticipated clash with Barcelona, scheduled for May 15, could be played without the electric atmosphere that only a live audience can provide. It’s like going to a concert only to find out your favorite band is playing an acoustic set – still good, but not quite the same.

Adding to the tension is Espanyol’s current league position. Sitting at 14th, they’re like that friend who’s perpetually stuck in the friend zone of the top half of the table – close, but not quite there. With the end of the season fast approaching, every match is crucial, and losing the home crowd advantage could be a significant blow.

So, as we wait for the official word on whether the derby will be played in the echoing silence of an empty stadium, Espanyol fans must hope that their past antics don’t cost them the chance to support their team from the stands. In the meantime, maybe they should keep their lighters at home and stick to clapping and cheering – after all, that’s one fire hazard nobody will complain about.