Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
REAL Madrid fans are under fire after chants of “Franco, Franco” rang out at the Santiago Bernabeu — sparking fury just months before the 50th anniversary of Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco’s death.
But the chants weren’t (officially) for the fascist leader… they were for the club’s flashy new Argentine signing, 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono — but not everyone is buying that explanation.
The teenage forward, snapped up for a whopping €63.2 million, made his debut on August 19 in a La Liga clash against Osasuna — and as soon as he stepped onto the pitch, parts of the crowd erupted in chants of “Franco! Franco!”
Whether the fans were cheering for the kid or evoking Spain’s dark Francoist past, one thing is clear — it’s left a very bad taste.
Real Madrid have long been seen as the club of the establishment, enjoying historic links with Spain’s elite — and many still associate the club with Franco-era favouritism, even half a century after the dictator’s death.
So when fans start chanting “Franco” in a stadium that bears the name of Santiago Bernabéu — a man who ran the club during Franco’s regime — it’s no surprise that alarm bells are ringing.
Critics claim that it’s difficult to separate the generalissimo from his notorious name. His rule, from 1939 to 75, was marked by brutality and political purges. The memory of his death is not forgotten as Spain prepares to celebrate 50 years in November.
Josep Pederrol, a tabloid TV presenter, attempted to downplay the scandal on El Chiringuito. “A debate has begun, but i’m not going renounce my name because of an incident that occurred 40 years ago.”
Some people see this as being tone deaf.
With fascist graffiti still popping up in parts of Spain, and polarisation in Spanish politics alive and well, chanting “Franco” — even for a lad with that name on his birth certificate — feels like pouring petrol on a political fire.
While the player’s shirt reads Mastantuono — his surname — fans may want to consider chanting something else. While “Franco”, his first name may be, shouting it loudly in a packed Madrid Stadium is not a good idea. This is a PR disaster waiting to happen.
Some supporters have floated alternatives like ‘Mastan, Mastan!’ — a nickname that doesn’t carry 40 years of authoritarian baggage.
The chants, whether they were intended or not, have reignited debates about Real Madrid’s legacy and its links to power. They also have rekindled questions about Spain’s divided historical memory.
The controversy is not going to go away easily, with the club aiming to win another La Liga and Mastantuono being tipped as the next big star.
The Olive Press has more Madrid News. Click here to read it.
