Sevilla have announced the extraordinary decision to cut ties with city rivals Real Betis in a club statement.
The two LaLiga sides have been rivals on the pitch but maintained a close relationship since 1907, but now that brotherhood is in tatters.
The club statement comes after three Sevilla players, Juanlu Sánchez, Isaac Romero and José Ángel Carmona were suspended from Jesus Navas’ farewell match.
Each of the three graduated through Sevilla’s academy, so being at Navas’ farewell would have been an emotional moment.
Club icon Navas will retire on January 1, making Sevilla’s 1-0 win over Celta Vigo his final game at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.
However, the trio of teammates were unable to attend after Betis lodged a complaint against them.
The complaint related to Sevilla’s 1-0 derby win in October when they held up a banner with the Betis logo blacked out and crossed out.
Betis argued that the banner breached LaLiga’s Anti-Violence Committee rules, and the league agreed just a few days before the Navas farewell against Celta.
Sevilla spent those days protesting the call and trying to find an alternative date, but after failing, they announced their split with Betis.
They said in a statement: “Our club has decided to cut ties with Real Betis Balompié, as we do not understand that such relations can continue when the leaders of the green and white club have deliberately and consciously sought to harm our club.
“To harm and damage Sevilla FC in a sporting way was the objective of reporting extra-sporting behaviour before competition courts. Consequences that the green and white club was well aware of.
“Sevilla FC wishes to reiterate its disappointment at the inappropriate attitude of the Real Betis Balompié directors, not only towards another club, but above all towards Sevilla FC.
“It also expresses its disappointment with the decisions of the federation committees, decisions which, furthermore, although a posteriori and outside the sanction period, have been provisionally suspended by the ordinary courts.”
Leave a Reply