A forensic analysis of the worst fight in La Liga history, Fabiano v Diogo

It seemed an innocuous enough altercation. As Sevilla searched for a late equaliser, trailing 2-1 to Zaragoza in a La Liga match in early January 2007, Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano stretched in an attempt to keep the ball in play.

Defender Carlos Diogo came across to block his path, but Fabiano’s efforts were futile anyway. The ball rolled harmlessly out for a goal kick.

For Zaragoza, the game looked to be won. It was petering out, set for an uneventful conclusion to a hard-fought contest. Then all hell broke loose.

This was a vintage season for both Sevilla and Zaragoza. Come the end of it, Zaragoza finished sixth in La Liga, qualifying for the UEFA Cup thanks in large part to Diego Milito’s 23 league goals.

Sevilla, meanwhile, went on to defend the UEFA Cup title they had claimed the season prior and win the Copa del Rey with a team that included Dani Alves, Jesus Navas, Renato and Freddie Kanoute as well as Luis Fabiano.

Going into this game, though, Sevilla were dreaming not just of the UEFA Cup and Copa del Rey success, but of La Liga glory. They were top of the table and determined to hold onto their lead.

Zaragoza went ahead early though – through a Carlos Diogo strike. That man Milito extended their lead 10 minutes after half-time, but Sevilla came back, Luis Fabiano pulled one back in the 70th minute to set up a tense final 20.

Zaragoza hung on and, as Sevilla became more and more desperate, Luis Fabiano made his lunge for the ball as Carlos Diogo used his body to shield it out.

The incident

It was Fabiano, occasionally confrontational, who initiated the scrap, apparently angered by something Diogo, a Uruguay international, had done or said.

There was some speculation of bad blood between the South Americans,