Madrid, Spain – Chaos erupted near the Metropolitano Stadium during Thursday’s Copa del Rey semifinal as radical Atletico Madrid fans set off flares at the team bus. A cavalry officer was trapped between the vehicle and the group of fans, sustaining burns, while her horse also suffered injuries.

The incident occurred as the officer carried out security duties for the match against Barcelona. “She was literally trapped between the bus and a group of individuals who lit flares just inches from the horses, creating an extremely high-risk situation,” sources said.

The officer suffered mild burns to her lower back after the flares pierced her uniform, which is made of highly flammable elastic mesh. The horse arrived at police facilities covered in ash and with burns on its body, showing the dangerous conditions faced by law enforcement during the operation.

Authorities criticized the indiscriminate use of pyrotechnics and the pressure from radical fan groups, calling for stricter safety measures. Around 750 such operations take place annually, and police stress that clubs should assume more responsibility for fan behavior.

“The officer’s minor burns today could have been a tragedy tomorrow,” union representatives said. They are demanding a full investigation, identification and punishment of those responsible, and immediate revision of security protocols to prevent officers and animals from being placed in extreme danger.

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