Real Madrid have announced through their official website that they will be ‘reorganising’ the ‘Grada de Animación’ [supporters zone] in the Bernabeu stadium. The move will evict the Ultras Sur from the South Stand where the reconstruction will commence.
Club members are asked to send a request should they wish to be in this new area of the stand, the closing date for applications on 15 January 2014.
The Fondo Sur currently has 885 seats, with the development likely to take it up to 1,600. The idea is to create something similar to Valencia’s Curva Nord in the Mestalla where fans can actively support the team during the entire 90 minutes.
The decision appears to stem from the recent clashes within the Ultras Sur, between veteran and younger members. The process would be of great benefit to the players to have a section concentrated of positive, morale boosting support.
Four radical supporters from the South Stand were recently banned for life after displaying swastikas and other Nazi symbols during the Atletico Madrid clash. Barcelona full-back Dani Alves was also subjected to racial abuse during the Copa del Rey semi-final.
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
