“He doesn’t speak Spanish” — Getafe’s president defend Chrisantus Uche

By: Monsurah Olatunji

Getafe President Angel Torres has come to the defense of Chrisantus Uche following his controversial comments about racial abuse during a post-match interview.

In an interview with ESPN Africa, the Nigerian international claimed he had experienced racial slurs in La Liga, sparking a debate about the context of his remarks.

During a press conference, Torres expressed skepticism regarding Uche’s understanding of the situation, attributing it to the player’s limited grasp of Spanish.

“But he doesn’t understand! How can he tell you that?” Torres stated. He emphasized that Uche, who has been in Spain since 2022, might have misinterpreted the comments made by others, especially given his language barrier.

Torres further explained, “I don’t want to justify him, but someone who doesn’t speak Spanish gets the microphone put in front of him. The journalist asks him questions, and he could interpret what he hears—like complaints about referees—and respond without fully understanding.”

He stressed that once Uche has been in Spain longer and becomes fluent in Spanish, he will be better equipped to express himself.

“Let’s hope that the relevant committees understand this. My press officers share some responsibility for not being present during the interview, as does the journalist who posed the question to a player who has just arrived,” Torres added.

Torres concluded that he would discuss the matter with Uche, acknowledging that while the question was poorly directed, it does not excuse any negative comments about referees or others.