A high-profile trial over concert noise at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium has concluded in Madrid. The court ruled that Real Madrid and its general director, José Ángel Sánchez Periáñez, bear no criminal responsibility for exceeding permissible noise levels during musical events. Now, all liability for violations falls on promoter companies renting the stadium to hold concerts.
Court decision and its consequences
According to the ruling published on the club’s website, the court clearly distinguished between social and criminal responsibility. In this case, only the question of a possible criminal offense was considered, not civil claims from residents. The judges stressed that Real Madrid and its management do not organize or run the concerts, but merely provide the venue. All matters related to noise levels are the responsibility of promoters, their staff, contractors, and even the artists, who must comply with municipal acoustic pollution regulations.
Residents’ reaction and plans to appeal
The association of residents living near the stadium has already stated that the court’s decision does not solve their problem. In their view, concerts continue to violate the law, and shifting responsibility to promoters does not resolve the core conflict. Association representatives told EL PAÍS that they are preparing a cassation appeal and believe it will be impossible to hold concerts after this decision.
Municipal sanctions and authorities’ stance
The Madrid authorities had previously recorded that permissible noise levels were exceeded at all concerts held at the Bernabéu. Delegate for Urban Planning Borja Carabante reminded that fines for such violations are specifically imposed on promoters, since they obtain permits for holding events. The amount of the fines ranges from €600 to €300,000 depending on the severity of the violation and the time of day. At the same time, the city’s mayor José Luis Martínez Almeida emphasized that Real Madrid, as the property owner, cannot fully distance itself from issues related to the comfort of residents of the Chamartín district.
Context and similar disputes
The situation around the Bernabéu recalls other high-profile court cases where the question of responsibility for the consequences of mass events becomes a matter of dispute between organizers, venue owners, and local residents. For example, recently prosecutors in Barcelona accused the Pujol family of trying to politicize the judicial process, which also caused a wide public response — more about this can be found in the article about the conflict surrounding the Pujol family and the court proceedings.
An official statement from the mayor of Madrid regarding the next steps by city authorities is expected soon. The question of holding new concerts at the Bernabéu remains open while the court hearings continue and a possible appeal of the decision is underway.