Real Madrid Supporters Club in Iraq Attacked by Terrorists

By Gianni Verschueren

Terrorists have attacked a Real Madrid fan club in Iraq for the second time in a month, this time targeting and killing 12 Blancos faithful on the night their club won its 11th European Cup by beating Atletico Madrid on penalties in the UEFA Champions League final. 

Per AS' Calum Roche, the attack took place in the town of Baqubah, some 50 kilometers from the capital city of Baghdad. Four men reportedly opened fire shortly before the conclusion of the second extra-time period prior to escaping.

AS spoke to club president Ziad Albidani: 

It was a similar type of attack to the one that took place earlier in the month. Twelve people have been killed and at least eight wounded, who have been taken to hospital.

It took place at the end of the second half of extra-time, ahead of the penalty shoot-out, at around midnight local time.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Earlier this month, 16 fans and security guards were killed in a similar ambush less than 100 kilometers away in Balad, for which a group associated with the Islamic State claimed responsibility, per Roche.

Per Sky Sports, the club wore black armbands in its match against Deportivo La Coruna in response to the tragedy.

Survivors and fellow fans gathered at the same club just weeks later to watch Real Madrid win the title, per Agence France-Presse's Jean-Marc Mojon:

According to the president of an affiliated fan club, information regarding this latest attack is being withheld, per Roche: "The army are restricting the information that is coming out of the scene. This is a terrible situation. They are destroying the happiness of all Madrid fans on such a special night."