At the heart of a weekend match at the O Revel ground in Pontevedra, an incident unfolded involving He Villalonga Football Club and a Poio CFB team. The event drew public attention after claims of inappropriate remarks were directed at a local goalkeeper by the visiting coach, followed by the coach offering a personal defense. The situation culminated in an irrevocable resignation, a development that has sparked debate about the role of adults in youth sports and the responsibilities of clubs to protect young athletes. The competition in this age category allows boys and girls to compete together, a fact that underscores the importance of safe, respectful conduct from all involved.
The father of the boy who faced verbal abuse gave an account of witnessing the incident. He described being present for the match because it was the final game for his daughter to play with an all-female team before the upcoming season. The father recounted that the Poio coach allegedly spoke to one of his forwards in a way that questioned a personal relationship and suggested a romantic dynamic with the goalkeeper, a comment he said was inappropriate given the young ages involved. The remark reportedly came after the goalkeeper had shown a positive performance with their sticks, a detail the father highlighted to convey the seriousness of the breach in sportsmanship.
Spectators in the stands quickly voiced their disapproval, but the referee did not hear the remark during the game. The father recalled that after the final whistle, he remained composed and focused on shielding his daughter from further remarks. He stated that he confronted the coach directly, making it clear that the comment was unacceptable. Although the coach asked for forgiveness, the father refused to accept it, emphasizing that resolving the issue required accountability rather than apologies alone. This moment underscored a broader concern among supporters about the environment created for young players, particularly when emotions run high on the field.
Critics from Villalonga argued that these remarks contradicted a pre-match statement against violence that had been read aloud before the start of the game. They questioned why the events were not reflected in the formal minutes, despite requests to document the incident. This lack of formal recording added to the sense of unease among many observers who believe that the incident deserved clear documentation and review by the league or organizing bodies.
Supporters stressed that language of this kind has no place in sport or society. The episode prompted a public response that condemned the behavior and advocated for stronger codes of conduct for coaches and staff working with minors. The father of the affected goalkeeper expressed disappointment that a person in a coaching position could undermine a day meant to celebrate the talents and memories of young athletes, including his own daughter. The emotional impact of such actions was clear to those in attendance, who emphasized the importance of safeguarding the well-being and dignity of every child on the field.
Following the incident, CFB Poio described the events in sharply critical terms, labeling them as inappropriate and unacceptable. The coach’s conduct was cited as the reason behind the decision to resign, a move described as irrevocable after the incident. In communications associated with the case, Poio CFB and Villalonga indicated a wish to publish clarifying images to provide a fuller, contextual view of what occurred and to counter any attempt to distort the facts. The aim, they said, was to prevent harmful rumors or manipulation from shaping public perception and to restore focus on the children involved in the sport.
In sum, the episode has prompted renewed discussions about safeguarding practices in youth football, the responsibilities of clubs to set a positive example, and the need for transparent handling of allegations. It also highlighted the delicate balance between acknowledging emotional reactions and maintaining a constructive, respectful environment for young players who are still learning how to compete with integrity.