Valencia fans demand change after Barcelona inflict 5-0 defeat at Mestalla

Valencia supporters staged a furious protest outside Mestalla after their side were beaten 5-0 by Barcelona, directing chants and abuse at the club’s board, players and manager Carlos Corberan.

About 2,000 fans gathered at the stadium’s main entrance after the humiliating La Liga defeat, with many confronting the entrance to the directors’ box. A large contingent of Spain’s National Police, including officers on foot and on horseback, was deployed to establish a security cordon.

Supporters repeatedly shouted “You’re not getting out!” as they waited outside the directors’ area. They also called for the departure of majority shareholder Peter Lim, chanting: “Peter, leave now!”

Corberan and the players were also targeted, with fans using the familiar insult “Mercenaries!” during the protest.

The gathering gradually became smaller as the evening progressed, with the heat, the police presence and the strain of the situation all contributing to the decline in numbers. No incidents were reported.

Kiat Lim had chosen the match against Barcelona as the occasion for his first appearance in the directors’ box at Mestalla during a La Liga game, around a year and a half after becoming club president.

Supporters had begun to build excitement before learning that Peter Lim’s son was expected to make a surprise appearance. Once the news spread on Sunday morning, the phrase “today is the day” circulated widely on social media.

Kiat Lim arrived at the stadium in an unusual manner, travelling on Valencia’s team bus alongside football chief executive Ron Gourlay and general manager Javier Solis. However, he did not remain hidden in the directors’ box and was seen joking with Barcelona president Joan Laporta before kick-off.

The mood inside Mestalla turned hostile early in the match. Boos began after Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the sixth minute, while the arrival of 1,000 supporters from the group who had chosen to protest outside the stadium, in the 19th minute, triggered a wider outburst from the home crowd.

Among the chants were: “Carlos, leave now”, “Corberan, resign”, “Board, resign”, “Lim, you bastard, get out of Mestalla”, “Peter, leave now”, “Where are the signings?” and “Tomorrow is a holiday”.

Fans also sang: “There is no club left, only the shirt. The mercenaries must stop.”

Corberan was jeered whenever he left his technical area, including during the water breaks. Supporters even mocked mistakes made by Valencia players and applauded some of them sarcastically.

The anger intensified at the final whistle, when more direct messages were aimed at the directors’ box and the players, including the repeated chant: “You’re not getting out!”

Some supporters had already left their seats by then, while others remained behind to continue protesting in the streets. The crowd also called for the board to resign, chanting: “Directiva, dimision!” “Board, resign!”

The result reinforced fears among Valencia supporters that the team can fight only for survival, with the club having taken one point from its previous four matches. Their frustration has also been fuelled by what they regard as a failed transfer-window operation, after Valencia unsuccessfully attempted to sign a defender and a striker on the final day.

Many fans believe Corberan is complicit in what they consider a disastrous sporting management structure, leaving the coach, squad and ownership facing mounting hostility after the heavy home defeat.