The Elche Football Club and the wider Elche community received the news of Sacra Morales Rubio’s passing with deep sorrow. Known as Sacra to friends and fans, she was the wife of Diego Quiles, a central figure in the franciverde family, and the founder of Kelme. The news arrived after several days of treatment in hospital, and her mortal remains were laid out at the Carrús funeral home. A funeral is scheduled for Thursday at eleven in the morning at the Basilica of Santa Maria.
Master Santiago Gambinhas remembered Sacra as the most ardent supporter of Elche Football Club. Since the sixties, when she began dating Diego Quiles, she never missed a match. She stood by him as a devoted partner, first cheering Diego on as a fan, then guiding the club as manager, and later serving as president. Her presence behind the scenes helped shape the club’s spirit through the years, offering support and a steady, encouraging voice whenever challenges arose.
Inside and outside the pitch, Sacra accompanied the team through its climbs from the Second Division to higher levels. Her joy was evident when Elche achieved important wins, even when the goals came in moments of personal amusement and lighthearted mischief. The club rose from the Lasesarre region, near Barakaldo, as part of the journey that brought the team to the First League in 1984, and Sacra celebrated alongside players and fans as the franciverde banner grew stronger. Her enthusiasm remained unwavering during the club’s moments in the spotlight and its occasional headaches as fortunes shifted, including the memorable 1997 promotion and the subsequent return to the Second B era, where the team faced renewed tests and renewed hope.
During a historic moment at the Gran Teatro de Elche in 1994, Sacra was seen cheering Diego with unmistakable pride as she sang a simple, joyful refrain. That moment helped solidify Diego’s leadership within the franciverde institution, a role he held with dedication, and Sacra stood faithfully beside him, offering encouragement through the club’s most difficult periods and celebrations alike. Her smile, warmth, and genuine support were a steadying presence in the club’s life, both on and off the field.
Elche Football Club clearly lost one of its most loyal and spirited supporters that day. Blanquiverde fans and the entire Elche community extend a heartfelt farewell to Diego Quiles and offer solace to his family, including his children Diego, Isabel, Eva, Esther, María José, and Raquel, along with many descendants who carry on Sacra’s memory. Sacra Morales Rubio will be remembered as a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a grandmother whose passion for Elche left a lasting imprint on the club and its supporters. Her legacy lives on in the countless memories she helped create and the long-standing sense of community she helped nurture around the franciverde family.