Elche CF issued a strong statement on its official Twitter account immediately following a controversial 2-3 defeat to Real Betis. The Francoverdi team had taken an early 2-0 lead, but the balance shifted in the closing minutes due to a string of referee decisions that influenced the final result in stoppage time.
The club’s message left no doubt about its view of the events. It called for fair treatment and respect, asserting that Elche should be treated no differently from any other club. The post emphasized the club’s long-standing history and its identity as a historic and centennial institution, underscoring that such recognition and respect are deserved by a club with Elche’s heritage.
We want to be treated equally and with respect, no more or less than others. We are the Historical and Centennial Club. This is the least we deserve. These lines came from Elche Football Club on February 24, 2023, as part of a public reflection on the match and the broader implications for the team.
Early in the second half, the match grew tense. The 45 minutes allotted by the referee for the second period, with 52 including stoppage, saw two players sent off and three penalties in a sequence that Elche’s supporters and observers felt tilted the balance against the team. There was a handball appeal inside Abner Vinícius’ area, which the officiating crew did not call a foul on, a moment that added to the sense of grievance among Elche’s ranks.
The official match official in charge was Iglesias Villanueva, a referee who, in past encounters, has faced scrutiny for decisions that affected Elche and other teams. A related issue involved a close call that was not reported by the VAR, the incident centered on a near offside that would have altered the course of a prior goal. In this game, the momentum shifted as Elche conceded late and Betis learned to capitalize in the final minutes.
From the bench to the pitch, the narrative continued to unfold. The team’s fortunes shifted in a blink as Willian José converted from eleven yards, knocking the wind out of the franciverde side and leaving their chances at a 2-3 margin in stoppage time. The scoreline reflected how a game that started with promise could pivot dramatically in the closing moments.
After the whistle, additional public reactions surfaced online. Pere Milla, a key striker for Elche who has endured injuries, shared a concise message that resonated with many fans. His post conveyed relief for the team, tempered with an air of mystery that sparked speculation among followers. The message, simply stating that everything is fine for Elche, was accompanied by the hashtag AlCarrer, signaling a broader narrative about the club’s ongoing journey and challenges.
Across social media, the sentiment was mixed. Some supporters echoed the call for fairness and stronger recognition of Elche’s history, while others emphasized a dedication to moving forward and focusing on the next matches. In a season marked by intense scrutiny of officiating and decision-making, Elche’s communication underscored a broader theme in professional football: teams insist on parity, respect, and a consistent application of the rules—values that fans and clubs alike want to see reflected on the field.
In the weeks that followed, the discussion around this game continued to surface in fan forums, sports news roundups, and the club’s own channels. For Elche, the episode reinforced a narrative of resilience and a call for equal treatment as it competes in a league where every point, decision, and moment can influence a club’s history and its relationship with supporters.