Madrid, Aug 7 (AP) — A preseason friendly clash between Real Betis and the Italian club Como turned unexpectedly intense as players engaged in a physical altercation, leading to a mass scuffle. In southern Spain on Wednesday, the first half of the match was already marked by several rough exchanges, climaxing when Betis’ Pablo Fornals and Como’s Maximo Perrone got involved in an altercation as they approached halftime. Having exchanged some sharp words, the two players soon found themselves exchanging blows. Both teams’ players quickly rushed in, escalating the situation further. Also, the benches were cleared, with substitutes and staff members pouring onto the field, some attempting to break up the brawl. Order took several moments to be reestablished, and ultimately, the referee expelled a player from each side. “Competitive spirit drives us, and both teams are eager to win, but there's a certain line we must not cross in these matches,” Betis midfielder Sergi Altimira commented. He further noted, “They were committing many fouls, interrupting the match constantly.” Despite the chaos, Como emerged victorious in the friendly with a 3-2 win. The Italian club is set to face Barcelona in another preseason match on Sunday.
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