It seems as if it was a century ago, but just a few months ago the Seville derby witnessed dark days, of bad relations between the two most important and representative sporting entities of the city, with all the consequences. The tension reached a point where… … Sevilla, who had previously publicly severed ties with Betis, refused to attend the Benito Villamarín stand, leaving Sevilla without institutional representation in a match of this magnitude for the first time. With a phone call, each assuming – in quotation marks – the part that he believed corresponded to his responsibility, the matter was settled, with both of them issuing an official statement highlighting a new framework in the relations between Betis and Sevilla. It will never be brothers, it will be neighbors who respect each other. The Chiefs’ example permeates fans, although sometimes anger over a poor result or misunderstood disdain can create a tsunami.
It all started with the spark that ignited a fire of immeasurable proportions. Sevilla beat Betis in the derby on October 6. There was already some tension inside the penalty area between the later appointed honorary president, Joaquin Caparros, and members of Betic’s delegation, including his boss Angel Haro who had a contentious meeting with Otrrerano. It didn’t get worse, but they already took the anger as candy. Meanwhile, on the grass, as Sevilla players celebrated, they received from the stands the Betis shield crossed out inside a red circle, as if it were a forbidden sign. Local players, including Isaac Romero, celebrated by posing for a photo with the flag. Betis was then furious and lodged a protest and subsequent complaint with the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee. The result was that in the final league match of 2024 in Sanchez Pizjuan against Celta, in which Jesus Navas was bidding farewell to his fans on the grass, as many as three first-team players were forced to serve a one-match suspension. Isaac himself, as well as Juanlo and Carmona, were left naked. This upset Sevilla until they decided that the shortest way to solve the problem was to completely cut ties with Betis.
«We live in Seville, a double city, with fun. The derby is played the week before, during and the week after the jokes. If they throw the head at local players. “They celebrated without intention and we did not disrespect their fans,” the Sevilla president said days later. “In cold weather, I don’t understand why you would want to hurt yourself. “I cannot communicate in a healthy way with leaders who do not deal honestly with my being,” he said.
“Professionals in any team must respect the institutions and their symbols,” Angel Haro, president of Betis, responded at the Betis shareholders meeting. Pettis did not file a complaint, and merely informed the committees of some photos. We did not ask for sporting or financial sanctions, nor are we responsible for players not playing any matches. Those responsible will be the people who committed the punitive act. “It would be huge if it were ours.”
With this fertile ground, the second round of the derby was reached, which was held at the end of March at the Benito Villamarin Stadium. Sevilla looked for a way to go to Betis’ stadium without going through the penalty area, which Betis denied, claiming there were security problems (which is understandable). No one stepped aside until a call took place between the leaders. The mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanz, and the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Rafael Lauzan, intervened until the water returned to its channel. That through excessive celebration and subsequent complaining, the friendly relationship can at least explode.
The clubs issued a statement renewing relations, although there is a constant feeling in Betis that they have not separated from anyone, and it was Sevilla that adopted a confrontational stance. Sanchez Pizjuan was not at all satisfied with this new peace which they understood was caused by the scenario the relationship had reached, but they thought they had jumped because of the recent blow they had received from the other side of the city. Now normalcy ensures good understanding between the directives, as long as nothing happens to change them.