CASTRO: "YOU HAVE TO VALUE OUR TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR THE MEDIA"

President José Castro spoke at this year's edition of the SFC José Antonio Blázquez and Manuel Ruesga Bono Prizes, which took place at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. At the annual ceremony, he highlighted the work of the media who cover the club's current affairs by recognising each of the award winners and, later paid tribute to Pepe Domingo Castaño - who passed away last month - to close his speech, which can be read in full here:
 

"Today we present the 14th Blázquez and 11th Ruesga Bono prizes, which mark a pioneering initiative in Spanish football of which we at the club are extremely proud. The media are another very important element in the world of football. That is why, regardless of whether or not we like what is written or said about us sometimes, at Sevilla FC we want to recognise the work of journalists and photojournalists with whom, in the majority of cases, we work alongside on a day-to-day basis. I believe that we must highlight the tremendous respect that Sevilla FC has for the media, as well as our drive to allow its professionals to do their work. Accepting their analysis and criticism in fact often helps us to do things better.

Every club that wants to be great must endure a demanding media environment where you cannot let your guard down, even when you achieve success. Thankfully, we have that. I always say that our triumphs are your [the media's] triumphs, because with your drive makes us better. You are also, make no doubt about it, the UEFA Europa League's seven-time champions. Today is a ceremonial appreciation of the work of the media, however, in reality, this appreciation is evident on a daily basis through our Communications department and our willingness to hold open training sessions, the constant granting of interviews or by keeping the mixed zone where journalists can interact with our staff operative, open while many such areas are being closed down in other stadiums. Nevertheless, we would like to emphasise that in these changing times we live in, in the era of content and information, we are always at your disposal through our Communication department to, as much as possible, ensure the truth prevails so that what you present to your audiences on a daily basis is reality.

"I always say our triumphs are your because with your drive makes us better"

"The second-placed Blázquez prize is awarded to the journalists from Relevo, Samuel Silva and Alonso Rivero, whose sensational report on the experiences of a centre-back partnership from the past will forever remain engraved in the minds of all Sevilla fans, that of Pablo Alfaro y Javi Navarro. Seeing them together again in our dressing room, recalling old stories was an enormous gift that Relevo gave to all our fans, thus making it so deserving of this prize. The first Blázquez prize goes to journalist Jaume Naveira, for his exceptional commentary during one of our matches on Movistar's Multifutbol. That perfect line... 'If it's Thursday and it's Europa League night, Sevilla FC is going to do something special.' Jaume, I don't think you can better encapsulate what we all feel when we play in the Europa League; the idea that, although it may seem impossible, with us in this competition anything can happen. We all feel completely identified with your words and somehow when we listened to them we envisioned you being here, receiving this award today.

"This year's special prize goes to the Canal Sur Radio team for their exceptional coverage of the UEFA Europa League final, sending such a large team to broadcast the four in-house sports programmes from Budapest, with 16 hours dedicated to the final on that unforgettable night on 30th May 2023. With this award, we would like to thank the Andalusian public radio station for its affection and firm commitment to our team, bringing the last stage of the competition to millions of Andalusians.
 

"Finally, the Ruesga Bono prize is presented Manu Gómez, a previous winner of this award, on this occasion for a snapshot, La plata del cielo [The silver of Heaven), in which we are presented with our beloved chaplain, Father Indalecio, next to the silverware brought from Budapest, in our offering of the title to the Virgen de los Reyes [Virgin of the Kings]. Father Indalecio's happy face, reflected in our Europa League trophy, in the holy presence of the Virgen de los Reyes, is a wonderful image, full of greatness and feeling. Few times has the Ruesga Bono award been as well deserved as this edition. 

Remembering Pepe Domingo Castaño: "We are left with the piece of mind of having paid tribute during his lifetime"

"Speaking of heaven, allow me to look up there in the final stretch of this speech, to remember Pepe Domingo Castaño, who passed away just a month ago and who was recognised by our club with the Blázquez prize just two seasons ago. Pepe Domingo Castaño defined an era of Spanish radio and several generations of football fans now grieve his loss on the airwaves. However, we are forever left with his enormous legacy and, in the case of our club, the piece of mind of having paid tribute during his lifetime, which is when tributes should be paid, to such a special and, above all, marvellous professional in the field of communication as Pepe. Before concluding this event, I would like to ask for a round of applause in his memory to close this event. With you, Pepe, it will never be goodbye, it will always be an endearing HOLA HOLA HOLA. I will end with a phrase that he himself said that day .He said that only club has ever recognised him and that was Sevilla FC. 

Del Nido Carrasco: "We recognises the work of one of the most important parts of football: journalism"

Meanwhile, vice president José María del Nido Carrasco, José María del Nido Carrasco, was a guest on a special episode of 'Solo el Sevilla', broadcast from the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán itself, highlighting firstly the importance of this recognition of the media: "These awards are a firm commitment by Sevilla FC to recognising the work of one of the most important aspects of football: journalism. Constructive criticism helps us to reinvent ourselves, to recycle ourselves and to know how to improve. We share many moments with sports journalists and I don't think there is any other club that does this. Regardless of the love-hate moments, today is the day on which Sevilla FC pays homage to the press". He also had words for the recently deceased Pepe Domingo Castaño, honoured in previous editions: "Pepe Domingo was a great man and Sevilla gave him some more-than-deserved recognition. It was the first award after the pandemic and we have a clear conscience for having recognised his career. It is a very well organised event by all the club's professionals."

He also heaped praise on Jaume Naveira for his commentary against Manchester United: "One of the things that happened to me today is that I remembered how bad we had it last season for a stretch and how well we finished with the Europa League. I was struck by the way Jaume told the story, it seemed like he was telling it as a sevillista, telling the tale of overcoming and knowing what it means to never surrender. It makes you proud to have that vision from the outside". To close, he also spoke about the team's current situation: "Sevilla FC has achieved a lot, but we always say that we want more. We are trying to reinvent ourselves so we continue to enjoy success in the coming years. There is a desire to see Sevilla FC back in action. We're very happy with the arrival of Diego Alonso, there are two games coming up against two tougher opponents, but we're really looking forward to seeing our team at home again with the fans who are always so supportive."