On Saturday, Athletic Bilbao keeper Armando Ribeiro fell to the ground in a bloody heap after a brilliant Real Betis fan threw a bottle with uncanny accuracy into Ribero’s face. We continued to track the story but felt unable to really do it justice without gory video.

Thanks to ON 205th, mission accomplished.

Ribeiro stayed in the hospital overnight for observation and took a few stitches but is otherwise fine. Real Betis, having experienced their second thrown bottle in one year. Juande Ramos (now at Tottenham Hotspur) was knocked unconscious last season at Real Betis, bringing severe sanctions down on the team.

According to Real Betis, the fan was escorted from the premesis and will not be allowed to return for any reason. (The congratulatory pat on the head from another fan as he exited is another matter entirely.)

However, the fan insists he meant no harm when he threw a heavy object at another human being. The money quote from his lawyer:

‘”My client is deeply sorry. He didn’t want to injure Armando. Carmelo is really affected by all this because he is a true Betis fan,’ Alvaro Pimentel said. ‘All he asks now is that people show respect towards his family.’”

Ah, European soccer: injure an opposing player with a thrown object and then beg the fans of the other team not to maim your kin.