Antony criticizes violence after nearly being hit by bottle in La Liga match

Brazilian Antony, Real Betis’ forward, was the target of a serious incident during a 2-2 draw against Villarreal last Saturday (18) in La Liga, nearly being hit by a bottle thrown from the stands during his celebration. The player, who scored both of Betis’ goals, secured the draw in stoppage time and celebrated with the fans, but the moment was disrupted by the object from the opposing supporters. On Monday (20), Antony spoke out, condemning the act and calling for more stadium safety. The incident sparked debate about fan behavior in Spanish football.

The incident occurred after the equalizing goal in the 49th minute of the second half, when Antony ran toward Betis’ fans. A bottle was thrown, but teammate Ruibal deflected it, preventing injury. The referee reported the incident, and La Liga may investigate.

• The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Antony scoring for Betis.
• The bottle came from the Villarreal fans’ section.
• The game was part of La Liga’s 9th round.
• Antony urged measures to prevent further violence.

Ruibal impide que una botella impacte en Antony. pic.twitter.com/JjTBYmyXMW

— 𝙊𝙧𝙜𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙤 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙨 (@OrgulloBetis) October 18, 2025

Player’s reaction

Antony spoke to El Chiringuito after Betis’ training, highlighting his strong performance but stressing the incident’s severity. “I was celebrating with our fans, but this shouldn’t happen. It can’t be repeated,” he stated.

He also thanked Ruibal for protecting him during the incident. Antony called for greater fan awareness to avoid actions that harm the sport.

Game context

The Villarreal match was marked by comebacks. Betis trailed after goals from Buchanan and Moleiro, but Antony, with a long-range shot and a stoppage-time goal, secured the draw.

His performance was key to keeping Betis competitive in the standings. The team sits 10th in La Liga with 12 points.

Betis fans praised Antony’s effort, though the bottle incident overshadowed the match’s brilliance.

Antony’s importance to Betis

With 12 goals in 32 games, Antony is two goals shy of surpassing Denílson, a club icon with 14 goals in 196 matches. The Brazilian, formerly of São Paulo, has become a key figure in Betis’ attack.

His efficiency stands out: in under two years, he’s nearing historic club records. Antony joined Betis in 2024 and quickly won over fans with decisive goals.

This season, he has five goals in nine La Liga games. He’s also a starter in Betis’ Europa League campaign, facing Racing Genk on Thursday (23).

Coach Manuel Pellegrini praised Antony’s dedication but declined to comment on the incident, leaving it to La Liga authorities.

Betis’ upcoming challenges

Real Betis now prepares for the Europa League, facing Racing Genk in Belgium on Thursday (23) at 1:45 PM (Brasília time). The match is crucial for their continental ambitions.

Next, they face a tough La Liga clash against Atlético de Madrid on Monday (27) at 5:00 PM at Benito Villamarín stadium in Seville.

Stadium safety debate

Antony’s incident reignites discussions about violence in European football. La Liga has implemented measures like fines and fan suspensions to curb such acts. In 2024, similar incidents led to strict penalties.

The Spanish football federation will review the case, and Villarreal may face sanctions, such as fines or loss of home games. Experts emphasize that security cameras and stricter punishments are vital to prevent future incidents.

Antony’s numbers

Antony stands out not only for goals but for consistency. His stats impress compared to teammates:

• 12 goals in 32 matches for Betis.
• Average of 0.37 goals per game, surpassing Denílson’s 0.07.
• Five assists in the 2024/25 season.
• Starter in 80% of La Liga and Europa League games.