Miguel Ángel Gil: "These shouts from a minority are an embarrassment to the Atlético people".
Our CEO assesses what happened before last Sunday's derby and makes clear Atlético de Madrid's position on the matter.
Following the events prior to the last derby and, after the statement issued by the club, our CEO, Miguel Ángel Gil, wanted to assess everything that happened and make Atlético de Madrid's position clear: "I know our fans well and it is unacceptable that anyone could think they are racist. These shouts from a minority are a disgrace to us Atlético fans and cannot tarnish the image of the club, nor the behaviour and feelings of the majority".
Miguel Ángel Gil stresses that "the club has been demonstrating for years that it abhors and repudiates this type of behaviour that has become a social scourge. We have strict protocols for the prevention and eradication of violence. In the last five years, 433 cases have been opened for various forms of behaviour contrary to these internal rules and 51 members have been expelled. We will continue to be forceful in these matters, but we are aware that an isolated act of a fan can ruin all this work. It is a risk that any club is exposed to. But we are not going to lower our guard.
Our CEO also analyses the assessment made by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, on the matter: "I am grateful that he reminds us of our obligation, and I agree 100% with his comment. I must also point out that it is everyone's job to pursue these scourges, not just that of the club managers. They accuse us when in fact we are also victims.
And he considers that "we professionals in the sector must be much more careful with every word, every fact or action that we carry out, because football, with the passion with which it is lived, amplifies any mistake. I did not understand the campaign that was created, with exaggerated demonstrations, distorting the statements of our captain, mixing it with a phrase with racist overtones from someone outside our club... This generated a climate of unnecessary and inappropriate tension before a match of maximum sporting rivalry. The time has come to demand responsibility and professionalism from all those involved in the world of football".
