29.08.2007 23:35
Casaus and Puerta, A Gamper of Mourning
www.fcbarcelona.cat
Wednesday night, during the Joan Gamper trophy, Sevilla player Antonio Puerta and ex vice-president Nicolau Casaus, were very present in the Camp Nou. The player, the club and the supporters visibly showed the pain caused by these losses.
Before the start of the game, the Barça players took to the field all wearing the official Sevilla
shirt with the number 16 and Antonio Puerta’s name on the back. By doing this, the Barça
players were able to offer their own tribute to the Sevilla player, who died on Tuesday. The team
also carried a banner saying “We will play for you” and with a picture of the player.
Minute silence
A minute’s silence was held in memory of Nicolas Casaus and Antonio Puerta while videos
were shown to the crowd. Many tributes were displayed from the stands in memory of two big losses
from the world of football. Also, alongside the president of FC Barcelona showing their absolute
respect were Jose Montilla, president of the Generalitat, and Jordi Hereu, Mayor of Barcelona.
In Memory of Casaus
Minutes before the players took to the field, there was an emotional homage to the ex
vice-president, who died on the 8th of August. The official supporters’ clubs (Penyes), which
Casaus loved a great deal, played their part in the tribute. A giant poster in the centre of the
field with a picture of Casaus could also be seen with the words “Always in our
memories”. The children involved in the Penyes football 7 tournament also came out on pitch
while the crowd paid tribute with an extended applause.
The following act involved children coming on the pitch carrying placards representing the 34
geographic zones of the Penyes of FC Barcelona. Despite the tributes, the “Penyes hymn”
and the “Barça song” were not played as a sign of condolence of the losses.