Real Betis star speaks out after huge brawl erupts in Como friendly with ex-Premier League player sent off

A Real Betis star has commented on the mass brawl which erupted in a friendly with Como on Wednesday night.

The two sides met in a pre-season fixture at the Estadio Municipal de La Linea, continuining their preparations for the upcoming campaign.

But in the first half of the game, all hell broke loose and a wild brawl ensued following a fracas involving former West Ham star Pablo Fornals and Maximo Perrone, once of Manchester City.

Como were leading 2-0 when it all kicked off, with Fornals and Perrone at the centre of proceedings.

After pushing and shoving, things turned ugly when Fornals appeared to punch the Argentine square in the face.

What happened in Real Betis vs Como brawl?

Perrone retaliated by trying to hit Fornals back, swinging for the Spaniard before teammates from both sides piled in.

A number of grappling matches took place and though many players attempted to diffuse the situation, former Watford striker Cucho Hernandez came from nowhere and aimed a punch at Perrone.

Real Betis v Como in a friendly tonight 🤛 pic.twitter.com/PxH2jhZSPu

— 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 (@thecasualultra) August 6, 2025

However, he accidentally hit teammate Natan right in the face. Though Perrone was sent off, the game did continue and finished 3-2 to Cesc Fabregas' Como, who are undefeated in pre-season as they head into a game against Barcelona for the Joan Gamper trophy at the weekend.

After the game, midfielder Sergi Altimira participated in media duties and made his feelings clear on the unsavoury scenes which occurred.

"There are things that shouldn't happen," Altimira said.

"Both teams want to win; we're very competitive, but there's a certain limit ," he commented. "We all want to win with our weapons. I think in these types of matches, the line shouldn't be crossed, and we have to focus on the football aspect, the things we've done well, and the things we need to improve."

In the footage of the incident, the referee did not appear to get involved in splitting up the fight but in a bizarre turn of events, he dismissed former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin when he was speaking to the official.

But then, Bellerin was allowed to come out for the second half and so did not receive his marching orders after all - with the decision effectively reversed.