Fireworks and petards launched at Málaga hotel ahead of Almería-Málaga playoff match

In the early hours of 14 June 2026, multiple fireworks and petards were set off outside the Barceló Málaga hotel, where UD Almería was staying before the first leg of the promotion playoff against Málaga CF. The first burst occurred around 04:00 and a second at about 05:30, producing loud noises and black smoke that alarmed nearby residents, some of whom initially feared a fire.

The pyrotechnic attacks appear intended to disrupt the Almería squad’s sleep ahead of the high‑risk, high‑profile fixture, which had earlier been labelled a “final of the play‑offs” with significant fan movement and security concerns.