Paula Dapena Received Death Threats Following Refusal To Join In Minutes Silence

Paula Dapena has revealed that she received death threats for not taking part in a minutes silence for Diego Maradona, but confirmed she'd make the same choice again.

Football was in a state of shock last Wednesday over the death of Maradona, from a heart attack at the age of 60-years-old, with Argentina going into a national state of mourning for three days.

Tributes poured in for the 1986 World Cup winner from all over the world and leagues found their own way of remembering the great player, from minutes silence before kick off to minutes applause in the 10th minute, as in Serie A.

However Dapena made headlines for sitting down for the minutes silence ahead of Viajes Interrias FF vs Deportivo Abanca.

Speaking on Radio Marca, via Marca, the 24-year-old revealed she would do it all over again, even though she'd received death threats on social media.

"I would do it again, no doubt," she told Spanish radio.

"Thursday was the 'Day for the Elimination of Gender Violence' and there has been a minute's silence for an abusive man and not for the victims. Because of my feminist ideals, I couldn't pay tribute to Maradona.

"For me, he was a spectacular footballer, but left a lot to be desired as a person. I think you need values as well as skills.

"Everyone at my club is with me and I've received a lot of support on social media, but I've also received some death threats and so have some of my teammates. Social media is like that."

Despite her teammates joining in with the silence, it is understood from local news outlet PontevedraViva that she had support from them and others.

Coach of opponents Deportivo Abanca is said to be another who supported the player's actions and even spoke to Dapena at half-time.

The player is certainly well within her rights not to honour someone she felt didn't deserve honouring and whatever side you sit on it can't be denied that she did in a respectful and non disruptive manner.

Some who claim to support Maradona have not been able to say they paid tribute in a respectful way, with three men being sacked for taking selfies with the legends dead body.

Topics: Football News, Diego Maradona, Women's Football, Spain, Spanish football, La Liga

Ryan Sidle

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