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Venezuelan football coaches urge fans to avoid violence in Táchira-Caracas classic

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • Coaches Álvaro Recoba and Noel Sanvicente called for respect and sportsmanship ahead of the Táchira-Caracas football match.
  • They urged fans and players not to confuse passion with violence, referencing past national tragedies.
  • The coaches emphasized enjoying the game, accepting results, and maintaining respect between institutions and fans.

Ahead of Venezuela's highly anticipated Táchira-Caracas football classic, coaches Álvaro Recoba and Noel Sanvicente have issued a joint appeal for sportsmanship and respect. The coaches urged both players and fans to "enjoy the spectacle" and avoid conflating passion with violence during the match, scheduled for August 28.

Don't confuse passion with violence.

— Noel SanvicenteDuring a joint interview with Álvaro Recoba on the Liga Futve program Mano a Mano, emphasizing the need for sportsmanship.

Sanvicente, the coach of Caracas, emphasized the importance of distinguishing between aggressive play and outright violence on the field. "I tell my players: 'don't confuse aggressiveness with kicks.' It means having movement, being intense when playing," he stated. He also reflected on the "complicated moments" the country has faced, referencing the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela two months prior, which claimed over 6,500 lives. "There is a lot of suffering in the country to add more because of a football match," he added.

There is a lot of suffering in the country to add more because of a football match.

— Noel SanvicenteReflecting on the national context and urging fans to maintain respect during the classic match.

Recoba, coaching Deportivo Táchira, echoed these sentiments, calling for acceptance of both victory and defeat. "Let's enjoy the spectacle, accept victory and defeat," he urged. He stressed the need for mutual respect between the teams and consideration for the nation's recent hardships. "What counts is winning," Recoba acknowledged when discussing the nature of a classic match, but he also recognized that fans prioritize results over playing style. "People are not interested in how you play, they are interested in winning," he noted, though he personally does not aim to win "at any cost."

Let's enjoy the spectacle, accept victory and defeat.

— Álvaro RecobaCalling for acceptance of results and respect between teams and fans.

Both teams are preparing for the upcoming fixture. Sanvicente expressed confidence in Caracas' morale, noting their recent positive results in the Copa Venezuela and a draw in the Torneo Clausura. Deportivo Táchira, currently second in the league, has conceded six goals in their last three matches. The match officials have been appointed, with Rony Cueva as the main referee, supported by Tulio Moreno and Alberto Ponte. The game will also feature VAR technology.

What counts is winning.

— Álvaro RecobaDiscussing the importance of winning in a classic football match.
About this summary

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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