As the world mourned Diego Maradona, a Spanish woman sat in silent protest

Paula Dapena, a female soccer player for a Spanish third division team, simply wanted to send a message about domestic violence. He ended up getting world headlines, death threats, and more support than he bargained for.

Dapena, 24, was a bit bummed by international excitement in the wake of Diego Maradona’s death. The Argentine soccer legend, who died on November 25 at the age of 60, was mourned around the world, with his body lying in condition as crowds gathered in Buenos Aires.

The New Zealand rugby team wore a black jersey with the name “Maradona” and his number 10 before a match against the Argentine rugby team. In Italy, the Naples city council passed a resolution to change the name of the former Maradona club stadium to him.

Dapena, a midfielder for Viajes Interrias FF in Sanxenxo, on the country’s northwest coast, was surprised and disappointed by the death of Maradona, whose life included battles for substance abuse and at least one complaint of domestic violence.

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“[The worldwide reaction] I was not surprised by his past and his life with drugs, I was honestly surprised that he had not died sooner. The issue of drugs is very complicated and ends many lives, “he said through a translator.

“It bothers me a little that she died on November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.”

Dapena has not been a victim of domestic violence, although her relatives are survivors. She was upset that a man with her story dominated the radio waves on a day destined to draw attention to abuse against women.

Dapena did not plan to protest Maradona or the seedier aspects of his legacy off the field. But before a November 28 game against Deportivo La Coruña, he was informed that there would be a minute of silence to honor Maradona.

Dapena considered the circumstances and before leaving the dressing room she decided on a gesture that would make a statement and, in her opinion, would be respectful to those who wanted to honor Maradona’s legacy.

When the referee called for a moment of silence, he sat down and looked away as his teammates bowed their heads in honor of the soccer star.

Dapena’s teammates were shocked. Some laughed, others were puzzled.

She told them what she would do ahead of time, but some did not expect her to comply. At halftime, she said the opposing coach asked about her display and agreed with her sentiment after she explained her reasoning. His team also backed the decision.

Dapena imagined that her protest could circulate among her 2,700 Instagram followers. But on Sunday night, she and her teammates began receiving death and rape threats via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“The threats come down to nothing because they are people behind a phone. They are anonymous and do not have the courage to show their faces, ”he said.

“I keep the messages that are supportive, that double or triple the number of threats.”

Politician Ana Pontón spoke with Dapena on WhatsApp, offering her support and a meeting with members of the Spanish Parliament. Recently, while talking to her sister on the street, Dapena said that she was recognized by a woman who said she agreed with her protest.

That support has propped up Dapena at a time when she would like to get back to normal, pursue a master’s degree in physical education, play on limited hours due to the coronavirus, and a life before interviews and insults.

“I hope the fame goes down that much. . .[I can] To continue my life without being insulted by people every day, “he said through a translator.” But I hope that I can continue to give a voice to women who really need it and take advantage of the fact that I can do it right now. “