Featured image credit: Vincenzo.togni/ CC BY-SA 4.0/ Edited for size
LaLiga football club Getafe has removed the Alfonso Pérez moniker from its stadium, after the former Spain striker made disparaging remarks about female footballers.
The stadium will now be known as just Coliseum after the local council, owner of the club’s 16,500-capacity stadium, which opened in 1998 as Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, initiated the name change following the remarks.
Pérez was born in Getafe, but never played for the club’s senior side.
Former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Real Betis player Pérez told El Mundo newspaper: “Female football has evolved, but they have to keep their feet on the ground and know that in no sense can they be equated to a male footballer.”
The move comes as Spain continues to deal with the sexism scandal that overshadowed the country’s recent FIFA Women’s World Cup victory. Luis Rubiales eventually resigned as president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after he kissed Spain forward Jenni Hermoso at the final presentation ceremony. Hermoso said that the kiss was not consensual and went on to file a legal complaint.
The move to drop Pérez’s name also follows criticism of Getafe for signing Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood on a season-long loan. The 22-year-old English player had criminal charges for attempted rape and assault of a woman dropped in February.
Getafe presented plans for a significant redevelopment of the Coliseum back in June.
Getafe president, Ángel Torres, made the announcement, stating that the project would be presented to Getafe City Council in September or October, with a view towards work beginning on the north end of the stadium in March or April next year.
The project sets out to raise capacity at the Coliseum by 3,000 seats from the current figure of around 16,500. A roof is set to be installed across all stands, with only one currently affording coverage from the elements.
A 2,000-seat mini stadium will be developed at the club’s Ciudad Deportiva, with Torres also stating that it will pursue a naming rights deal for the new-look venue.
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