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Pablo
01/05/2002, 5:37 PM
A car bomb has exploded near the Real Madrid stadium as football fans were arriving for a crucial match.
A police spokesman told the BBC that nine people were slightly injured after the blast at 1655 (1455 GMT).

The Bernabeu stadium in Madrid is due to host the second leg of the European Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Wednesday evening.

The Basque separatist organisation ETA has claimed responsibility for the attack. It delivered a telephone warning 15 minutes before the blast, allowing an evacuation of the area.


The car was located at the lower level of the Europa Tower, just 50 metres from the stadium.

At least 10 other cars nearby caught fire, but initial reports that the tower itself had caught fire were later denied.

The tower was reported to be empty because of the public holiday, but the area was engulfed in smoke.

The BBC's sports correspondent Ed Harry says shortly after the blast some fans fought running battles with police, spreading more panic.

Second bomb

Police said a "tiny" second car bomb exploded later in Madrid.

The blast destroyed a Ford Escort, about two kilometres from the stadium. The car was reported to have been hijacked.

A police spokesman said the football match would still go ahead. Real Madrid is 2-0 ahead after the first leg in Barcelona.

The winners will advance to the final at Hampden Park in Glasgow on May 15, where they will face the German side Bayer Leverkusen.


Security meeting

Uefa announced that it would hold a security meeting at 1700 GMT to discuss whether to go ahead with the match.

Barcelona spokesman Jose Miguel Teres said that "for the time being we haven't got any news.

"We're planning to travel in an hour and a half's time to the stadium.

"If there are any changes, we will be notified. The players are resting and the mood within the hotel is one of calmness."

A crowd of 75,000 was expected at the stadium for the match, due to start at 1845 GMT.

A major clean-up operation is now under way near the stadium.

Pablo
01/05/2002, 5:38 PM
Thats disgusting. sport should be kept out of crap like that

Éanna
02/05/2002, 1:37 PM
They should have been expecting this- that match was one of the biggest to be played in Spain in years, maximum publicity- of course ETA were going to try something.