Gijón, Spain – El Molinón stadium witnessed a profoundly moving tribute on Monday to Constantino Rodríguez García, affectionately known as “Tanti,” a devoted Real Sporting de Gijón supporter who tragically passed away during Sunday’s match against CD Leganés. The outpouring of respect from both clubs and supporters underscored the powerful sense of community within Spanish football.
The match, initially suspended following the incident, resumed Monday evening, but not before a heartfelt ceremony honored the life of the 82-year-vintage season ticket holder. Five minutes before kickoff, representatives from both Sporting and Leganés participated in a floral tribute, laying flowers on the seat Tanti habitually occupied in El Molinón. A Sporting jersey, emblazoned with the message “’Tanti’, siempre con nosotros” (“Tanti, always with us”), was draped over the chair, a gesture met with resounding applause from the stands.
Those who regularly sat near Tanti were visibly emotional as the floral tribute was laid, a testament to the close bonds forged over years of shared passion for the club. The atmosphere within the stadium was thick with grief and remembrance, a shared moment of sorrow for a man deeply loved by the Sporting faithful.
The tribute reached a particularly poignant moment when a photograph of Tanti was displayed on the stadium’s video screen, prompting another wave of applause and a collective expression of grief from the crowd. The display served as a powerful reminder of the individual at the heart of the collective mourning.
Sporting de Gijón publicly thanked CD Leganés for their “exemplary attitude” following the match’s suspension on Sunday, a gesture that was warmly received by the fans and acknowledged with further applause. The unified display of respect between the two clubs highlighted the spirit of sportsmanship that transcends rivalry.
In addition to the initial floral offering, two further tributes were presented. The Federación de Peñas del Sporting, the Sporting fan clubs association, sent a wreath, as did CD Leganés, creating a joint expression of sympathy and solidarity that resonated deeply with those present. This combined gesture underscored the shared grief and mutual respect between the two clubs and their supporters.
José Riestra, Sporting’s executive president, and David Guerra, the club’s vice president, represented Sporting during the tribute. Eduardo Cosín de Carvajal, Leganés’ vice president, and Andrés Pardo Higueras, the club’s director of football, represented the Madrid-based side. Their presence emphasized the importance both clubs placed on honoring Tanti’s memory.
Following the tribute, a minute of silence was observed throughout El Molinón. The stadium fell completely silent, a moment of profound emotion as fans, many with tears in their eyes, paid their respects. Players from both teams wore black armbands throughout the resumed match as a further mark of respect.
Perhaps one of the most touching displays of solidarity came from the Leganés supporters. They unfurled a banner bearing the message “Güelu DEP” – a regional expression meaning “Grandfather, Rest in Peace” – a gesture that was warmly acknowledged with applause from the Sporting fans. This heartfelt tribute demonstrated a level of empathy and respect that transcended club allegiances.
Constantino Rodríguez García, a Sporting season ticket holder for forty years, was at the match with his son, Javier, and grandson, Sergio. The club provided support to the family, offering them a private space in the stadium’s council room to cope with the shock and grief. The family’s well-being remained a priority for Sporting throughout the ordeal.
The resumption of the match itself, while secondary to the emotional weight of the day, saw Sporting and Leganés return to the pitch with a renewed sense of purpose. The game, a Segunda División (LaLiga Hypermotion) fixture, carried added significance as both teams continue their push for promotion. The final score was not immediately available at the time of this report, but the focus remained firmly on honoring the memory of Tanti.
The events at El Molinón serve as a powerful reminder of the deep connection between football clubs and their communities. Tanti’s passing has left a void in the Sporting family, but his memory will undoubtedly live on through the outpouring of love and respect shown by fans and players alike. The gesture from Leganés, in particular, highlighted the unifying power of football and the shared humanity that binds supporters together.
Sporting de Gijón is scheduled to face Real Zaragoza next on March 9th at El Molinón. The club has not yet announced any further tributes, but it is expected that Tanti’s memory will continue to be honored in the days and weeks to arrive.
The club encourages fans to share their memories and condolences on social media using the hashtag #TantiSiempreConNosotros.
