Who was General Francisco De Franco ? The Spanish Dictator who allegedly favored Real Madrid
Francisco De Franco made new laws that hindered Barcelona to operate freely during his dictatorship in Spain.
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One says that football is not politics but the history of Spanish soccer doesn’t demonstrate the same. Dictator Francisco De Franco took over Espanyol’s control after the end of Guerra Civil Española in 1939. The dictator used Real Madrid, the capital team of Spain as a political weapon to fight the Catalonians.
The Catalonians were the direct foes of the dictator. Theories say that De Franco through various ways supported Real Madrid to cause trouble for the Catalonian team. Although not a big fan of soccer, the dictator distorted the working of the Blaugrana by giving financial advantages and legal freedom to the Los Blancos team. Eventually, the Los Blancos got referred to as the ‘Team of the Falangist’.
The dictator didn’t step backwards to impose the Spanish traditions on the Catalans. The Dictator banned the Catalunian language and their flag. He further forced to transform the name of the club to Barcelona FC, from Catalonia FC keeping the Spanish translation
The dictator of Spain didn’t stop there but indirectly supported Los Blancos in the Generalissimo Cup (now known as Kings Cup) in 1943. The Catalans won the first leg by three goals to nil in Camp Nou. The director of security visited the Catalonians when they reached the capital to play the second leg . A person who took care of the military of the Dictator. The security personnel made them remember the Dictator’s generosity to allow them stay in the country. The Blaugranas understood what was portrayed, they lost 11-1 to Los Blancos in the game.
The transfer of Alfredo Di Stéfano to Real Madrid
One of the most controversial transfers in La Liga was the transfer of Alfredo Di Stéfano to Real Madrid. This transfer took place during the era of the dictator.De Stefano impressed the Spanish giants of Real Madrid and Barcelona with his skill in Millonarios while they played a friendly tournament.
The Catalonians were the first to approach River Plate for the signing of the player. Little did anyone know the move Franco played. He bribed the Head Scout of Blaugranas Josep Samitier.
Franco indirectly asked Samitier to make the transfer in favour of Real Madrid. He entrusted Joan Busquets with the deal with the General’s indirect suggestion who gave the Merengues the opportunity to sign the player. The general made the rule to make it fair towards FIFA, the player would play alternatively in the two clubs of Spain. Barcelona decided not to be a part of this farse transfer.
‘El generale’ deliberately made a law that would prevent Barcelona from signing any foreign players. These claims are denied by Real Madrid. The Argentine scored 216 goals for the Casa Blanca. winning eight titles for them.
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Arpan Ghosh
(1403 Articles Published)