The municipal group of Vox in the Seville City Council has requested this Tuesday that the national football coach, Luis de la Fuente, be awarded the title of Adoptive Son of the city, highlighting his devotion to El Cachorro, his respect for Holy Week, and his passion for bullfighting.
The municipal group of Vox in the Seville City Council has submitted a formal request this Tuesday for the Spanish football coach, Luis de la Fuente, to be named Adoptive Son of the city. The petition, addressed to Mayor José Luis Sanz, emphasises the coach's connection to the capital of Seville, where he lived during his time as a player for Sevilla FC and later as a youth coach.
In the statement sent, the political party highlights that De la Fuente has "left a mark" in Seville and has maintained a permanent bond with the city beyond sports. According to Vox, the coach "has never hidden the role that Seville has played in his personal and professional life".
Devotion to El Cachorro and Seville's traditions
One of the central arguments of the proposal is the well-known devotion of Luis de la Fuente to the Most Holy Christ of Expiration, popularly known as El Cachorro. The party believes that his deep respect for Seville's Holy Week reflects "a sincere commitment to traditions that are part of the soul of our city".
Furthermore, Vox values his passion for bullfighting and his defence of traditions, which they consider values "such as effort, sacrifice, love for Spain, and respect for the traditions that have forged our identity as a nation".
Sporting success as a guarantee
The request is also supported by the recent success of the Spanish National Team under De la Fuente's leadership, which was crowned champion of the Nations League in 2023 and is off to a good start in the qualification for Euro 2024. For Vox, this achievement constitutes "an additional reason to pay tribute to a figure who has never hidden the role that Seville has played in his life".
The municipal group has sent a letter to Mayor José Luis Sanz on Tuesday morning, requesting that the process for granting the title be initiated. The final decision rests with the City Council Plenary, which must approve it by majority.
De la Fuente, a native of Haro (La Rioja), lived in Seville during his time as a player for Sevilla FC in the 1980s and later returned to coach at the club's youth academy. His connection to the city has remained alive through his friendships with brotherhood members and his presence at religious and cultural events.
The Vox initiative has generated diverse reactions in the local political landscape. While some groups appreciate the recognition of a prestigious sports figure, others believe that the title should be based on objective merits rather than ideological or religious affinities.
Seville has several illustrious Adoptive Sons, such as the singer Joaquín Cortés and the bullfighter Curro Romero, both born outside the city but closely linked to it. If the proposal goes ahead, De la Fuente would join a list of personalities who have received this honour for their contribution to the city's projection.
The City Council must now study the request and, if deemed viable, open a public information period before bringing it to a vote in the Plenary. Meanwhile, the Sevilla fans and supporters of the coach await the outcome of this initiative with interest.
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