Sporting de Hortaleza paid tribute to Sevilla legend Antonio Puerta with a collective applause in the 16th minute of their Copa del Rey match. The gesture, proposed by the Madrid club, aimed to unite both sets of fans in an act of respect and memory that transcended team colours.
The match, corresponding to the first round of the Copa del Rey, was played at the Estadio Municipal de El Val in Alcalá de Henares. The State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport had declared the fixture high-risk. The Madrid club made tickets available for Sevilla supporters.
The Madrid team's board explained the meaning of the tribute. They said that in the minute of the match coinciding with Antonio Puerta's shirt number, they invited all fans to a general applause of homage and remembrance.
Under a slogan uniting the two clubs, the club insisted on the importance of experiencing the match with coexistence and mutual respect. This act of brotherhood comes as Sevilla face a busy schedule in La Liga. Their next commitment is a visit to Getafe on Sunday 1 November, a match the Sevillistas approach after an irregular run in their recent games, with one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five league matches. In the standings, Sevilla have scored 16 goals and conceded 16.
Antonio Puerta, a historic Sevilla player, died from sudden cardiac arrest while playing a match. His shirt number was retired by the club as a symbol of his legacy. This emotional tribute in the Copa del Rey served to remember his figure in a competitive setting.
The report in full is at Mundo Deportivo
