i boiler: "I will never forgive a character as bad as Japan Seville"

Ramon Maria Caldere (Vila-rodona, Tarragona, January 16, 1959), former international of UE Sant Andreusuffered 30 years ago today in a disastrous Andalusian arbitration Joseph Japan Seville in a battle for promotion to Second Division A sa Lugo which broke the dream of Barcelona residents to reach the silver category. The Catalan former soccer player, who played for barca and the Real Betisamong others, and played for the Spanish team on World Cup ’86 and the Euro ’88, He became a real globetrotter on the banks. He is currently enjoying a bizarre football adventure with Jarabacoa FC Dominican then manage another 15 teams from the non -professional category, mostly from Catalonia. The man from Tarragona was resurrected in an exclusive interview with MD the historic referee robbery of the four-barred team, which resulted in a 2-1 defeat on June 28, 1992 in Galician lands.

Three decades later, do you still remember what happened in Lugo?

Of course. I would be lying if I said I had forgotten the great theft we had suffered. More than just hurting the club, the squad and the fans, it affected me personally. I verified this later when I was a coach because I felt angry with the referees for a character as bad as Japan Sevilla, who didn’t deserve another description. I could not understand how he could live with a clear conscience. He did not go to apologize to us nor did he admit that he was seriously wrong with Sant Andreu.

Is this your biggest disappointment as a footballer?

The first was unable to play in the 1986 European Cup final with Barça against Steaua in Seville because of a yellow card they showed me in the semis against Göteborg, and the second was not promoted with Sant Andreu. These were two episodes that marked me out a lot, but Lugo’s stealing marked me out, so I no longer believed in sporting justice. As a coach, I always see Japan Sevilla in the referees.

Do you remember how the penalty Japan stole Sevilla from them?

Of course! I received a pass from Rueda inside the area and the moment the ball hit, a Lugo defender ran into me from behind. When I got up, I said to myself: ‘Okay, penalty, now let’s take it’, but I found myself unpleasantly surprised when Japan Sevilla showed me the second yellow card and dismissed me in astonishment. of all.

Did you suspect that arbitration would be extremely disastrous?

Before the game, the Sant Andreu leaders had already warned us that Japan Sevilla could mess it up. Unfortunately, it is. I feared that the worst thing before the match was that I wanted to greet the referee, who I knew had refereed some training matches for us during my stay at Betis, and he presented his face to me. The highest punishment he stole from us proved that we were victims of one of the biggest thefts in football history. Even the one who gave me the punishment (Jorge) recognized that it had been a foul!

You are about to end up in dungeons

When the match was over, the match against San Quintín was logically set up. I saw a policeman pull out his baton against our player ‘Chupete’ Glaría and I reacted by pushing and slapping the officer. It’s true that they wanted to take me to the police station, but it didn’t happen because they understood that it was a time of extreme nervousness and tension. I apologized to the police for my explosion and he accepted my apology.

After Lugo, did Sevilla meet Japan?

I never saw him again, nor did I want to. He was promoted to the Second Division, as was Lugo, and went on to referee in the First Division, where he was the worst. Over the years, Joan Gaspart, who was the alma mater of Sant Andreu, told me that she had forgiven him and I replied that I could never. Through their mistakes we were unable to climb into the Second. Sports life owes Sant Andreu a chance in professional football. Hopefully it will be like this for this historic club that I carry in my heart and where I hope to return one day as a coach. As technical secretary, he can only be two months old and I already have a thorn.

Of course, the story might have been different if at the time there was a VAR

Well, I am convinced we can achieve the promotion. I can now see that a lot of people are criticizing video arbitration, but I’m totally in favor of it. I have always wanted justice in all areas of life.

Did you feel like continuing to play football?

After Lugo’s disappointment, I went on another season at Sant Andreu. We went back to dispute a promotion in Second A, but we were late in the group. I think Toledo went up. When that campaign ended I had to retire at age 34 because of back problems. It was a bitter farewell by all means.

Do you maintain relationships with your former colleagues in Sant Andreu?

Almost all of us included in that squad are still communicating through a WhatsApp group and we usually remember what happened in Lugo. We are a very strong group and we have a great team. There was a great spirit of competition. With that team with that quality, if we rose to the Second Division, I wouldn’t be surprised to achieve promotion to the First Division in such a short time.

What can you tell me about your current Dominican soccer experience?

I teach Jarabacoa, a humble mountain club that gives war to other teams with more economic power like Cibao or Atlético Pantoja. We are fighting in the league. The champion has qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League and it will be historic for us to achieve this. Now the second round of the championship will begin after we qualify. Football here has improved drastically, although the level will be at a First RFEF in Spain, the old Second B.

Does the Caribbean Sea help you relax?

The truth is I haven’t been to the beach much yet, but I do love the sea. I have been to Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. The Caribbean, no doubt, is beautiful.

How do the locals treat you?

I met very friendly and close people. My arrival generated hope for my past at Barça and with the Spanish team. They are grateful people with strong values, especially at the religious level. I have a contract until the end of the championship and I want to continue with it longer.