Gerard Moreno, one of the captains of Villarreal, visited the young people who suffered a brutal attack after the regional derby this weekend. On behalf of the squad and the club, Moreno stopped by the General Hospital of Castellón, where Mario is still admitted, to show his support. The striker was accompanied by his teammate Adrián, who was also a victim of the beating that took place on the outskirts of the stadium.
During his visit, Moreno gave each of the young fans a shirt signed by all the “submarine players.” He took the time to speak with them, assuring them that the team would be “very aware of them” and inviting them to visit the locker room when they’re feeling better. It’s a gesture that undoubtedly means a lot to the families affected by this senseless violence.
Mario, unfortunately, was the worst affected, suffering a double fracture of the jaw that will require surgery in the next few days. The attack also caused him to lose dental pieces and left his lips severely injured. As his mother, Verónica, explained, the trauma has been so severe that he’s had to have a cable with special irons placed in his mouth just so he can eat. “He couldn’t even open his mouth because of the pain,” she said, highlighting the severity of his condition.
Fear of returning to the stadium
The young fans, both with special abilities, are not only dealing with the physical consequences of the beating but are also emotionally affected by the “fear and stress” they’ve endured. Their families have spoken out about the long-term impact this could have, with Verónica saying, “My son is now afraid to go to the field. They’ve taken away the illusion of seeing their team, and it’s not fair that this happens.” Adrián’s mother, Susana Herrero, echoed these sentiments, saying her son, a player for the EDI team of the Plana Club, is afraid of returning to the stadium.
As the police investigation continues and complaints have been filed, the families are calling for “justice.” They believe that simply banning the perpetrators from the field is not enough; they should face more severe punishment. “They must go to jail, and everyone needs to know what happened,” Verónica said, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “They could have killed them, and the damage they’ve done will last a lifetime.”