This is desperately sad.
Real Madrid are one of the biggest and most widely supported clubs around the world. The passion with which fans from all corners of the globe follow the Spanish side is a testament to their broad appeal.
Sadly, a number of their ardent supporters were killed in a space that they had made a remote corner of Madrid by cowardly terrorists intent on murdering as many innocent civilians as possible.
On Friday, ISIS militants attacked a Real Madrid-themed cafe in Iraq, killing at least 16 people. Three men opened fire in al-Furat Cafe in the mainly Shia town of Balad. Friday is also a holy day for the residents.
The perpetrators then escaped the scene, until later when one of the number reportedly blew himself up as he was cornered by local Shia militia. Reacting to the tragedy, Real Madrid have released the following statement:
Real Madrid C. F. deeply regrets the terrible attack in Iraq which today saw 16 members of a Real Madrid supporters club lose their lives and which has also left over 20 injured.
The club expresses its great sadness and offers its regards and condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
Real Madrid extends all of its solidarity to the people of Iraq, who suffer the excessive injustices of extreme violence.
The Real Madrid players will tomorrow wear symbolic black armbands as a sign of their mourning and respect. Football and sport shall always be spaces in which to come together and in which harmony and peace reign and with which no form of barbaric terrorism will be able to compete.
Today Madridismo across the whole world cries for its supporters, who shall never be forgotten.Â
