The Confederació Mundial de Penyes del FC Barcelona, representing the blaugrana supporters’ club collective, once again took part in the National Supporters’ Clubs Congress of Aficiones Unidas, which was held for the 20th time. The event took place in Cadiz last weekend and was attended by more than 850 supporters from 30 federations of supporters’ clubs of Spanish football clubs. The Federación de Peñas Cadistas was the organiser, together with the Junta de Andalucía, the Diputación de Cádiz, Cádiz City Council, Cádiz CF, La Liga and Aficiones Unidas.
Main event
The main event of the National Supporters’ Clubs Congress took place on Saturday at the Palacio de Congresos de Cádiz. The welcome was given by Juan Antonio García, president of the Federación de Peñas Cadistas; Jorge Guerrero, president of Aficiones Unidas; Juan José Ortiz, first vice-president of the Diputación de Cádiz; and Bruno García, mayor of the host city. Afterwards, Marta Benito and Marta Galdeano, from La Liga, together with Aficiones Unidas, presented the balance of the actions carried out during the last season, as well as the projects for the next one.
This gave way to a round table to address current football issues, and particularly those concerning the fans. Participants included Javier Tebas, president of La Liga; Manuel Vizcaíno, president of Cádiz CF; and Jorge Guerrero. Next, the fight against violence in stadiums and the piracy of football audiovisual rights were some of the focuses of a new colloquium moderated by Pepe Hidalgo, secretary general of Aficiones Unidas.
Finally, the round table “Women and football”, led by journalist Alba Reinado and with the presence of Sheila Ibáñez, captain of Cádiz CF women’s team; Benita Monzón, the oldest member of Aficiones Unidas; and Ángela González, one of the youngest supporters at the Congress. Beatriz Álvarez, president of Liga F, also participated online. Various aspects of current women’s football in Spain were discussed, as well as the role of the supporters in its growth.
The event ended with the presentation of the awards to the best supporters’ clubs, and also with the announcement of the next edition of the National Supporters’ Clubs Congress, the 21st, which will be held in Castellón from 27 to 29 June 2025. Juan Antonio García, president of the Federación de Peñas Cadistas, staged the handover alongside Alberto Aicart, president of the Federación de Peñas del CD Castellón.
Fraternal atmosphere
In addition to the Congress, the event also included other leisure, tourist and cultural activities for the more than 850 supporters present. In them, there was a fraternal atmosphere among all the fans, reflecting the values that Aficiones Unidas defends in Spanish football. The Nuevo Mirandilla stadium was the setting for various events, such as the exchange of gifts among the fans and a great group photo. Once again, the National Supporters’ Clubs Congress of Aficiones Unidas became a stage for strengthening the union and collaboration between fans, thus laying the foundations for a future of greater inclusion and respect in the world of football.
