Five players from Alhama Football Club did not sign the joint statement issued by the rest of the squad denying any inappropriate behavior by their coach, Juan Antonio Randri Garcia. Their silence mirrors the disappointment felt by peers and confirms that they have witnessed barbarisms, harassment, humiliation, and fear within the club environment, as reported by sources close to the team (Source: El Periódico de Catalunya, Prensa Ibérica).
El Periódico de Catalunya, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, reported that the coach allegedly addressed players with insults and criticism targeting physical and sexual orientation. The report also described a sexually explicit photo allegedly circulated among the group, intensifying worries about how power is exercised within the team (Source: El Periódico de Catalunya).
The club initially backed the coach, and later a large portion of the team expressed support as well. Although five players spoke to Europa Press, they chose to remain anonymous. They condemned the situation and its impact on the club’s atmosphere (Source: Europa Press).
One player described feeling as if living in a “prison” or under a dictatorship during the season. This person understood that what happened was far from normal and noted the difficulty of reporting when the boss was the follower’s superior. The same player observed the coach wielding significant influence over the club and the city, and expressed distress at the surrounding atmosphere that forced compromises of personal values in order to endure the year. The player also pledged to seek truth with calm, impartiality, and respect when it is time to testify (Source: firsthand accounts corroborated by multiple players).
The same individual emphasized that the only reason to press on was the support received from many people, including strangers who offered encouragement. The belief that truth exists was repeatedly affirmed, especially in the context of rights violations that allegedly occurred during the season (Source: gathered testimonies).
Another affected player claimed to have found greater support from people outside the immediate circle than from others who publicly echoed concerns. The fear of potential consequences loomed large, and the fear was not unfounded in a climate where outspoken dissent could carry personal risk (Source: statements from the players).
The fear extended to concerns about commitment and hard-won team efforts being derailed by a situation perceived as unjust. Players described daily challenges that went beyond isolated incidents, including the ongoing processing and extraction of information necessary to understand what had happened (Source: multiple interviews).
Criticism arose over how the club handled the statement and whether it implicitly pressured players to remain quiet. One player argued that the club’s public disclosure reinforced a culture of confidentiality and that those who spoke out faced disappointment from people who should have stood with them. There was a perception that courage, fraternity, and shared values were lacking in the response (Source: testimonies and club communications analyzed by reporters).
This participant, visibly nervous about staying silent, described a pattern of insulting remarks, harassment, disrespect, and contempt. They warned against letting exploitation run unchecked, urging action whenever injustice touches even a single person. The message underscored a broader call for accountability within the club and its leadership (Source: conversations with affected players).
For some, dismissive reactions such as claiming it was merely a joke or overreacting by others felt deeply wrong. Remembering the experiences has left a lasting impact, making the notion of closure elusive while highlighting the stark reality of what happened to a number of players. The sense of loss is undeniable, and the truth remains the focal point in a difficult chapter for the club (Source: personal recollections).
Several players recalled confronting a situation described as unimaginable at times, with warnings about unusual behaviors and the early months of the season being especially hard. The dressing room, in their view, functioned as a crucible for personal identity and resilience, shaping how they interacted with teammates and coaches alike (Source: collective testimony).
There was a clear reluctance among some to form personal relationships that could become entangled with the trauma. The idea of dating or closeness within the team was questioned, with references to prejudice and feeling devalued as individuals in a professional setting (Source: testimonies).
Do your justice
What followed felt heavier than typical disputes. Some players found themselves documented as evidence within the group, even when they believed they were performing well after matches. Observers note that while some did not suffer overtly derogatory comments, they witnessed others break down under the emotional strain of treatment within the team (Source: participants’ accounts).
There is now a growing conviction that genuine support has been lacking for a long time. There is a call to do justice for those who endured hardship and for those who still live with it today. Professionalism in sport is seen as requiring more than financial compensation or facilities; it demands a culture of respect, emotion management, and true accountability (Source: statements from players and observers).
The affected players describe a period filled with fear when approaching practice, driven by the fear of disruptive talk from the coach and the prospect of unwanted consequences. Speaking out is framed as a path to relief, even if it comes at personal cost. The sentiment is that the sport’s integrity should rest on more than winning; it should rest on dignity and care for every athlete (Source: interviews and public reporting).
Ultimately, the group emphasizes that the burden of silence should never be greater than the burden of truth. The shared message is that dignity, respect, and unity within the dressing room are essential for any team to thrive. The stories of the five affected players illustrate a broader demand for changes that protect players from harm and preserve the sport’s fundamental values for everyone involved (Source: consolidated remarks from the affected players and journalists).