Dad-of-two Inocencio Arias Garcia, 51, started to feel unwell as he left a police van to help try to restore order following the orgy of violence that marred the build-up to last night’s tie between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow.
Footage of the moment he collapsed outside the home side’s stadium San Mames – published on a local newspaper website – showed he had not been hit by a flare as was initially believed although flares thrown before and after he collapsed ended up near to the spot where he fell.
Today it emerged one of the colleagues who tried to assist him was his brother, like Inocencio a riot-squad officer belonging to the regional Ertzaintza regional police force.
The officer, father to a 19-year old boy and a 16-year-old girl, was from the Basque town of Ermua
Basque Minister of Security Estefania Beltran de Heredia confirmed the officer had started to feel unwell as he got out of a police van – and one of the colleagues who went to his aid was his brother.
She said: “An ambulance was called but he went into cardiac arrest and when he arrived at Basurto Hospital he was pronounced dead.”
Ruling out the suggestion he had died after receiving an impact from a flare, as was originally feared, or being attacked by a hooligan, she added: “His death was not the result of any contact during the police intervention.”
Pascual Perea, a reporter for local paper El Correo who accompanied riot-squad officers, told how he came across Inocencio’s brother trying to help him after discovering him lying on the ground “disorientated but awake.”
He added of the dead man, a keen cyclist: “He was a real nice guy.”
The violence flared as the Russian fans reached San Mames.
Local reports said Athletic Bilbao fans reacted after one of the Spartak Moscow followers threw a glass in their direction.
At least six people including two Russians ended up in hospital with head wounds and other injuries following the ensuing violence.
Athletic Bilbao said in a statement posted on its official Twitter site: “Our most sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of the officer who died.
“Athletic Club strongly rejects football violence.”
Basque government president Inigo Urkullu tweeted in a show of support for the Ertzaintza and the dead officer and his family: “Rest in peace.
“Let this words be a show of condolence for the officer’s family and friends as well as the rest of the Ertzaintza.
“We express our total condemnation for the provocation and the violent acts that were committed, as well as our solidarity with the Ertzaintza.”