Real Betis protested after the Spanish FA ordered them to play Saturday's league game against Barcelona at Atletico Madrid's ground because of a two-match stadium ban.

Betis said the decision could cause problems because city rivals Sevilla play Real Madrid in the Spanish capital the following day.

"One of the most serious things that can happen is that for the first time in the history of football, fans from the four teams that have the greatest rivalry could coincide in the same city," Betis lawyer Jaime Rodriguez Sacristan told Radio Betis.

"I'm not saying this because of the fans, because they now get on well, but for the danger of bringing together such large numbers of rival fans.

"It is almost an act of terrorism because terrorism puts the life of others in danger."

Betis have been trying to angle for the game to be played at their Ruiz Lopera stadium since the stadium ban, handed out last week after Athletic Bilbao keeper Armando was cut on the face when a fan threw a bottle of water at him during a recent Liga match.

The game was abandoned with Athletic Club leading 2-1, with the FA subsequently deciding that the result should stand and that Betis be banned from their stadium for two matches.

Concern about violence in Spanish football was also raised when television showed images of an Atletico Madrid fan being kicked and beaten by Sevilla supporters before last Saturday's league match in Seville.

Reuters