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Valencia receive LFP backing over threats from supporters

The Liga de Futbol Profesional (LFP) has expressed its support to Valencia after the club denounced "pressure, threats and coercion" from two radical fan groups during their home games.

Valencia, coached by Pako Ayestaran, have lost their opening three La Liga games this season and visit Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

The club issued a statement on Wednesday indicating that in recent matches, members of ultra groups CN10 and Yomus had "threatened and intimidated young fans to stop cheering for the team."

Moreover, the statement added that club employees have also been subjected by such groups to a campaign of "intimidation, threats and hatred."

The LFP applauded Valencia for publicly denouncing a situation it says is "completely unacceptable."

"Nobody, be it on an individual or collective level, should be looking to impose themselves on other supporters, and even less so through the use of threats, coercion and force," an LFP statement read.

"A stadium is intended solely as an arena in which to express passion for sport and in which any other type of behaviour has no place. Indeed, protests should be carried out with respect and not end up involving insults and an attitude of contempt.

"La Liga offers Valencia CF and its supporters all of its resources in an effort to eradicate both physical and verbal violence from our game."