In the middle of August and with Primera RFEF about to begin, an off-the-field episode has shaken Nastic de Tarragona. As a result, Barça has also been affected.
The involuntary protagonist in this controversy is Marc Casadó. He has found himself caught up in the debate over a failed signing with political overtones.
Everything started with the possible addition of Andalusian footballer José Calderón to the Tarragona team. The Andalusian footballer saw his signing blocked. The reason was some old comments on social media filled with contempt toward Catalans.
El futbolista del Córdoba, que perdió los papeles e insulta a los catalanes
The phrase that changed everything
In a message that quickly went viral, Calderón even said: "I shit on all Catalans' dead." It was in a recording for social media celebrating Córdoba's victory over Barça Atlètic.
Then came Nastic's interest in signing him and protests from local fans recalling his words. The signing fell through.
"In Andalusia, it's normal to use this kind of expression." That's how Calderón tried to fix it on El Chiringuito. Nastic's board decided to halt his addition to avoid a bigger conflict with its fans.
He replied to Casadó's reaction on social media by applauding him for his applause.
The decision sparked an intense debate about the boundaries between freedom of expression and professional consequences. The locker room was divided between those who believe forgiveness should have value and those who consider such a comment unacceptable.
Casadó, in the middle of the storm
Marc Casadó's connection to this episode comes from his public reaction. The Barça player, without considering the impact of his words, "liked" and applauded Calderón's dismissal.
A gesture that, for some, was a show of support for defending Catalan dignity, but for others only fueled the conflict further.
There have been no official statements from the Barça player's camp. However, it is claimed that his intention wasn't to stoke the confrontation, but rather to take a stand against any insult toward his homeland and his people.
However, the debate on social media quickly put him in the eye of the storm.
Calderón apologizes
Far from keeping quiet, Calderón has tried to make amends. In statements on El Chiringuito, he said his words were made in an informal context and that he didn't intend to offend all Catalans. Even so, his signing by Nastic remains ruled out, and his image has been marked by the episode.
The controversy has also reignited the discussion about footballers' responsibility on social media, where a past comment can cost them their professional future. For Casadó, the episode will serve as a reminder that every public gesture has repercussions.
Calderón is now suffering the consequences. With his signing by Nastic frustrated, he is without a team.