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LALIGA

Bale: Real Madrid cry double standards over Atleti gesture rap

Real Madrid are unhappy LaLiga has reported Gareth Bale for his gesture to Atlético fans, but has left their treatment of Thibaut Courtois alone.

Bale: Real Madrid cry double standards over Atleti gesture rap
PEPE ANDRESDIARIO AS

LaLiga has reported Gareth Bale to the Spanish Football Federation's Competition Committee for gesturing at Atlético Madrid's fans as he celebrated scoring Real Madrid's third goal in Saturday's derby win, yet has overlooked the Wanda Metropolitano's treatment of visiting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Glass bottle among missiles thrown at Courtois

That's something that Madrid cannot understand.

Ex-Atleti keeper Courtois, who was appearing at Los Rojiblancos' home ground for the first time since joining their city rivals, was pelted not only with stuffed toy rats, but also lighters, cash (as part of accusations that his move to the Bernabéu was money-motivated) and, most worringly of all for the Belgian, a glass bottle.

Ratas de peluche tiradas a Courtois durante el Atlético de Madrid-Real Madrid.
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Ratas de peluche tiradas a Courtois durante el Atlético de Madrid-Real Madrid.PEPE ANDRESDIARIO AS

In conversations with Madrid security staff, Courtois made plain his distress at the possible consequences had he been hit by such a missile.

Furthermore, a banner reading "Thibu, rata" ("Thibu, you rat") and bearing a picture of the animal was also unfurled by Atlético supporters, before being confiscated by stadium stewards.

Madrid have reported Courtois incidents

Madrid are deeply unhappy with the incidents and have reported them to the Federation, whose Disciplinary Code says that clubs whose fans throw objects from the stands face a fine of up to 3,000 euros and the threat of stadium closure.