A pre-season friendly match between Real Betis and Como devolved into chaos on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 19:46 UK time. The matches were used as practice by both teams, as they prepare to start a new season. Yet, it quickly escalated into an intense, fiery exchange that resulted in both a red card being issued.
The situation escalated between the two players after the game’s second-half started, and their aggression quickly turned to the officiating crew. Real Betis’ Pablo Fornals and Maximo Perrone of Como got involved in a fiery exchange that escalated before you know it. Both parties were quick to respond to the confrontation. This resulted in an out of control, on field brawl that stopped the game, making match officials intervene.
Witnesses reported that the altercation involved multiple players, with both sides visibly frustrated by the escalating situation. The battle for possession between Fornals and Perrone was especially hard fought. Instead, both players threw aggressive gestures at each other before they finally connected on a fight. Referees arrived quickly, issuing red cards to both players at the center of the fight.
With Fornals and Perrone dismissed, it felt like a completely different match. Inaugural MLS side Real Salt Lake and MLS veteran Chivas USA players were incensed, resulted in additional clashes on the field. At first, players viewed the game as an opportunity to display their talent. Instead, it turned into a real-life experiment in the impact of discipline and poise under fire.
This unfortunate incident served to distract from what should have been a friendly match while bringing up concerns about player behavior in pre-season matches. For one, coaches on both sides will scrutinize what transpired. Their goal is to not let this nasty behavior bleed into the actual regular season.
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