Editorial: Hospitality, yes; impositions, no

In soccer, as in life, coexistence is built on respect. And in the context of a competition where every detail counts, that respect begins with understanding who organizes a match and under what conditions it takes place. The recent controversy over the allocation of 120 tickets for Águilas FC’s visiting fans on their trip to face CD Estepona should not distract us from the essential point: the management of a match is the responsibility of the home club.

A sense of unease has arisen that, beyond the sporting aspect, seems to be based on emotional arguments aimed at forcing a decision made by others. Citing the presence of children, the elderly, or vulnerable people to justify a larger allocation of tickets remains a questionable strategy when used as a tool for pressure. Soccer cannot and must not become a arena where sensitivities are manipulated to gain an advantage.

All the more so when there are recent precedents that call for caution. A fan base’s reputation is not built solely on unconditional support for its team at home, as is the case at El Rubial, but also on behavior during away games. Incidents like those experienced against UCAM Murcia CF, where regrettable incidents occurred, compel us to reflect before making demands.

A snapshot of the Águilas fans at the Muñoz Pérez last season.

CD Estepona, for its part, faces a historic opportunity. After a difficult first half of the season, with just seven points and many doubts, the team has managed to regroup and now faces a decisive stretch in which its fans deserve to take center stage. The Francisco Muñoz Pérez Stadium must be a fortress, and ensuring the safety and enjoyment of its fans is a legitimate priority.

Veiled threats of mass travel without tickets don’t help either. Soccer needs committed fans, not attitudes that border on irresponsibility. Anyone who shows up without a ticket must face the consequences: watching the game from outside or accepting that not everything goes in the name of passion.

Because yes, soccer is excitement, rivalry, and emotion. But it’s also order, respect, and coexistence. And that starts with understanding that, when you play away, you don’t make the rules.