MADRID, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tensions are running high in Valencia in the wake of their defeat to Las Palmas on Monday night, which saw the club slide to the bottom of La Liga amid a series of ugly incidents outside of their Mestalla Stadium.
Although Pepelu put Valencia ahead with a first half penalty against the side that had begun the game in last place, Alex Munoz leveled for Las Palmas, with Fabio Silva and Alberto Moleiro putting the visitors 3-1 ahead.
Cesar Tarrega scored a 94th-minute goal for Valencia, but it was not enough to stop them crashing to defeat against a rival that had not won any of their previous matches.
The loss left Valencia rock bottom with just six points from 10 games and inflamed fans in the stands, many of whom were already carrying banners demanding that club owner Peter Lim abandon the club.
Valencia's under-pressure coach, Ruben Baraja, appealed for calm after the game, saying, "Can't we realize how important it is to be united and to support the team."
"I refuse to believe that the supporters aren't intelligent enough to not think that they have to support the players," added the coach.
If that is the case, then Baraja would have been disappointed by what happened afterward, with a group of fans attempting to stop players and directors from leaving the ground and using street furniture to build a barricade.
The fire brigade were needed after rubbish containers were set on fire, and riot police were called in around midnight to disperse a crowd of around 250 people, who reorganized at the exit to the stadium that the Valencia players use.
Police confirm the arrest of a 46-year-old man and confirm they have identified seven more for their role in the "serious" incidents.
Valencia's next match is away to Getafe, who are coached by former Valencia boss Pepe Bordalas, and if Baraja remains in change until next weekend, anything other than a win will probably cost him his job, although he is far from the only person responsible. ■
