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It happened over the weekend in the field of the sports city of Abegondo, in La Coruña (Spain) when the soccer player broke the line formed by her teammates during the tribute to ’10’, before a friendly by her team, Viajes EntreRías Women’s Soccer, against Deportivo Abanca.
That gesture has placed the player of that Pontevedra club in the center of the target of many followers of the Argentine star and, according to her, she has received death threats on social networks.
“I did not expect it,” he admits in an interview with EFE. But it is not hiding either. This Monday he has granted 20 interviews. “It’s being overwhelming, but I would do it a thousand times over,” says Dapena.
In his dialogue with the Spanish news agency, he revealed when he made the decision to make that gesture and recounted the death threats he received. Here, the questions and answers:
The tributes to Diego Maradona had been happening since his death. When do you decide to make that gesture?
On Saturday, when we were going to take the bus to go play against Deportivo, a colleague from my team told me that the Spanish Federation had agreed to a minute of silence for Maradona. I already told him that I absolutely refused to do it. And before the game I told the whole team. I don’t think anyone took me seriously, but when the referee warned us of the minute of silence, I already made it clear. I turned around and sat on the floor.
Why are you making that decision?
I have my own ideals, I believe that to be a player and a good athlete you have to have values above your football. Maradona was an abuser, we cannot forget about that. I do not criticize that Maradona has taken drugs. No. There are many footballers, singers, actors, actresses who have done it, but there they are hurting themselves. The moment you go over the line to hurt other people is when I no longer consider them a reference.
And the image went viral.
On Sunday morning I woke up with many messages of support and affection. But as soon as the news left Spain and reached Italy and South America, I already began to receive threats, including some of death. And not just me. Some colleagues who had shown me their support on Instagram were also threatened and harassed.
Have you been afraid? Would you do it again?
Yes of course. One and a thousand times more. I have taken captures to try to denounce these threats, but they will not silence me. I have done it convinced because I have my ideals. They won’t shut me up.
Have you been surprised by all the media noise that has been generated after your gesture?
Very much, I thought that everything was going to stay between my Instagram followers and the Pontevedra region. I didn’t think I was going to get out of there. But the ball was growing.
Understand that Leo Messi, an idol and reference for many boys and girls, paid homage to Maradona on Sunday during the match between Barcelona and Osasuna.
I respect all the tributes that have been made to him because Maradona is considered a God of football, but I do not share them. Unfortunately, football fanaticism makes us forget everything that is behind that person.
Is soccer a macho sport?
Definitely. Very much. I think it is the most macho sport of all both in equality between male and female teams and in insults. I do not get it. Now there are not so many comments, but before it was common to hear: “Go scrub”, “Clean the kitchen and put the ball down” or “Women’s football is neither football nor female”.
How have you lived these last hours?
Well, the truth is that I am a little stressed because I have received calls at all hours, I have had journalists looking for a space to talk to me. And social networks continue to smoke. I try to forget about threats, I prefer to focus on positive messages because they are the ones that give me strength to continue.
Have you received many?
Many, some even famous. I have seen a story by Leticia Dolera where she told me that she was not alone in this claim. And of other feminist references such as Laura Redondo, whom I have a lot of affection because she was my teacher in the race. People from Argentina, Mexico and other Latin American countries also showed me their support. That is what I am left with because I think I opened the eyes of a lot of people. I hope this helps others to take the step, be brave and consistent with their ideals.
Will your life change from now on?
I don’t know, but many mothers have already told me that I wish their daughter were like that, that she would like me to be a reference for her little ones.
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