The Pezzolano soap opera continues to resonate in Valladolid. Real Valladolid has reprimanded its coach after stating this in an interview with the Uruguayan media Sports 890that he had received racist comments such as “Sudaca, go to Uruguay” and ensuring that it is a “very particular city.” The entity has issued a statement about those “isolated episodes of xenophobia that it has suffered, attacks that Real Valladolid strongly condemns as it has always done in the face of any display of intolerance.” Furthermore, he has reprimanded the coach for this generalization perceived in his words, since the club “rejects any opinion regarding possible xenophobic overtones of our fans, as well as negative generalizations about the city. “The isolated incidents that have occurred cannot in the least blur the exemplary coexistence.”
The controversy comes after an interview in which the coach explains this strained relationship with the fans has circulated on social networks and later in the local media. In the dialogue, Paulo Pezzolano admits that on some occasions isolated individuals exclaimed to him “Sudaca, go to Uruguay” and assured that Valladolid “is a very particular city” in that in the streets he received mostly affection but that in the stadium he heard echoes the chant “Pezzolano, resignation”. “That has made my staffand I have redoubled our efforts, demonstrating that character of rebellion that we Uruguayans have and that makes us different from the rest. I decided to throw everything bad that there was on me, to protect the players, because some were also whistled,” argued the Uruguayan, who also spoke well of the quality of life in Valladolid and left good words for the majority of the inhabitants.
The commotion generated by this apparent generalization has led to the response of the club’s communications office. The message emphasizes regretting these “isolated episodes of xenophobia” but “rejects any opinion regarding possible xenophobic overtones of our fans, as well as negative generalizations about the city. “The isolated incidents that have occurred cannot in the least blur the exemplary coexistence.” This Thursday morning, before training, Pezzolano spoke informally with journalists from Radio Marca Valladolid and Cadena Ser Valladolid to argue that he did not want to generalize, but rather point out those cases suffered specifically. The controversy turned “Fachadolid” into a trend on social networks and has caused the mayor, Jesús Julio Carnero (PP), to defend the “tolerance” characteristic of the city.
Real Valladolid has also alluded to some words from its coach in said interview, when he expresses his suspicions that the president and largest shareholder, Ronaldo Nazario, could sell the club. “In no case is it up to the technician to evaluate, comment, judge or report on the operations that may be carried out on the property of the entity. The president of our entity already explained in the celebrations for promotion to the highest category of national football that he has offers on the table and that he will weigh his decision in these days, always with the priority of taking the best path for Real Valladolid and its fans,” highlights the statement published on the Pucela website.
The club’s response comes after several intense days regarding Pezzolano’s relationship with the fans. Despite being promoted on Sunday at home, the crowd chanted the usual “Pezzolano resignation” and he raised his arms and put his hand to his ear. Later, at the town hall celebration, he himself grabbed the microphone and began, very excited, the chant. The coach has signed one more year of contract as an automatic clause in case of promotion. The team plays this Sunday in Tenerife the last match of the Second Division where nothing is at stake other than finishing the season as leaders despite all the noise around their bench.
You can follow Morning Express Deportes inFacebook andxor sign up here to receiveour weekly newsletter.
