Vile chants put Atletico's faithful to shame

I undertsand that times are tough, that there are many people with serious frustrations and emotional needs to belong. Sports is traditionally a release button of emotions which eases the five-six days of “pain”. However, when the frustration gets mixed up with twisted illusions and many times intoxicated minds we sadly get events that occured at the Atletico De Madrid’s Vicente Calderon Stadium this weekend.

Atletico and Sevilla FC fans have angry exchanges on the social media channels since the advent of internet. Before this weekends match between both there were exchanges outside the field.

Atletico de Madrid Ultras

However the worst was yet to come. The Atletico de Madrid most exalted fan base, el “Frente Atletico”, began singing chants of “ea ea ea, Puerta se marea” ( …., Puerte is getting dizzy). Antonio Puerta ( Sevilla FC player ) died August 2007 after collapsing on the field from a heart attack against Getafe.

In reality not all of the Atletico fans were involved or approve of this disgraceful chanting. Only a few guilty fans ( just hundreds), made this lame attempt at hurting the feelings of the Sevilla team and their fans, which is a grave and unfortunate mistake. Antonio Puerta is no longer here, so he can´t obviously feel the pain, but what about his family? female partner? his children?

The Club that these Atletico de Madrid fans are supposed to adore has dealt a severe blow to its own image, its reputation and its historical working – class ‘helping the next guy’ ethos. I, as a died hard Atletico de Madrid fan, apologize to all the Sevilla fans and especially to the Puerta family. I was ashamed and embarrassed by what occurred. In fact the Club, has public released a news note asking for forgiveness for this horrible behaviour of a group of individuals who put on the Clubs shirt.

Sport is just sport. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose but its just a sport. Taking it beyond and crossing the moral limits is unforgivable. Hurtful chants, racism, violence… has nothing to do with Football and don’t belong in the beautiful game, we ( Spaniards) as a whole are finally responsible for our lack of action and attention.