Public appeal of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona

03/10/2017

We are a sports entity with a trajectory more than centenary and a strong social roots since some Catalan students founded us in the classrooms of the University of Barcelona. With this long journey and from the strictest respect to all the thoughts existing in our society, we call, as a sports entity of reference in our land, that the principles of respect for the others and fair play, so present in the world of sport, rule also in the political, social and institutional spheres, for the benefit of all.

The situation that we live in Catalonia in these areas make us sad and shocks us all athletes, leaders and professionals of our entity and our loyal fans. And it does so because it strongly shakes the personal convictions of all of us, whatever they may be; all respectable. The present conflict places us as society in an undesirable situation of risk and growing confrontation. The political neutrality of a sports club, which we have preserved, preserved and preserved above all, aims, with absolute good faith, not to violate neither by action nor by omission the deepest feelings of each and every one of our partners, and which belong to its most intimate and personal sphere.

Having said all this, and given the evident and high risk that an escalation of action-reaction of our public representatives and of the different social agents, can lead us to an irreversible situation, RCD Espanyol de Barcelona makes a public appeal to responsibility , reflection, good sense, generosity, and calm on the part of all. And so, we express our desire that the serious events of the last days and weeks will never happen again in Catalonia, nor will live others with worse consequences.

Democracy, institutions of self-government and civic coexistence have been the framework where our society has been able to progress and, in it, the clubs and sports organizations have been able to bring feelings, enjoyment and passion for the sport to Catalans. It has been our contribution to achieve a plural and open society like ours. These important realities, which have cost much to achieve, can’t be lost. We therefore urge all to contribute to harmony and dialogue again.

Social peace for Catalonia!

Long live the sport!

Visca l'Espanyol!