A security guard filmed taking part in a violent brawl outside Marbella’s NAO Pool Club has claimed the confrontation only erupted after he was punched by a customer during a routine security check.
The incident, which took place on Sunday, July 19, attracted international attention after footage published by The Sun appeared to show several security staff repeatedly striking two men in the club’s car park.
However, the video does not show how the altercation began.
Now, one of the bouncers involved has given his version of events, telling local newspaper Area that the violence started when a member of a large group refused to undergo a security search.
‘By protocol, everyone has to be searched,’ the security guard said. ‘We pat people down and check bags for everyone’s safety.’
According to the bouncer, the customer brushed his hand away and refused to be searched before allegedly becoming aggressive.
The guard claims the man works as a bodyguard for a well-known US rapper and described him as standing around 2.1 metres (6ft8) tall and weighing approximately 160kg.
After informing him that he would have to leave the premises, the security guard alleges he was punched in the ribs.
‘He left me unable to breathe. I was almost sick on the floor,’ he said.
He claims other members of the security team rushed out from inside the club after seeing him being assaulted and initially intervened to protect him and regain control of the situation.
The bouncer also alleges someone from the group threw a stone at him during the fight.
‘In the video you can see me suddenly turning because I spotted something white flying towards me,’ he said. ‘At the time I didn’t know what it was.’
According to the guard, there were initially just three security staff at the entrance, while the group consisted of around 20 people.
Footage from the scene shows several customers, including women, attempting to separate those involved and shield the two men being struck.
Two security guards treated in hospital
The publication has also seen medical reports relating to two members of staff treated in the early hours of July 20 following the incident.
One report states the worker attended A&E after allegedly being assaulted by customers using a stick and stones during the fight.
Doctors recorded multiple bruises to his shoulder, wrist, lower back and left rib cage. X-rays found no fractures, and he was diagnosed with multiple soft tissue injuries before being discharged in a stable condition with pain relief and instructions to rest.
A second report concerns another member of staff who suffered a two-centimetre facial wound after allegedly being punched.
He was referred from San Pedro Health Centre, where doctors confirmed there were no facial fractures before treating the cut and discharging him shortly before 3am.
The interviewed security guard claims the injured colleague was struck from behind during the altercation.
While the medical reports document the injuries sustained and record the patients’ accounts, they do not establish how the confrontation began or attribute responsibility for the violence.
Police complaint
Among the documents seen is proof that one of the security guards attended Marbella Policia Nacional station on July 20.
The document confirms his attendance but does not specify the purpose of the visit.
The bouncer says he later filed a criminal complaint over the injuries he suffered, although it is not known whether any further police action has been taken.
He also alleges the same group had caused problems at other nightlife venues earlier in the day and says fellow security staff had already been warned about their behaviour before they arrived at NAO Pool Club.
Police have not publicly commented on the competing accounts of what happened, and it remains unclear whether any criminal investigation is ongoing.
