Valencia Hit Back at Flat-Earther Coach After 'Subnormal' Jibe at Hugo Duro
Valencia CF defended striker Hugo Duro after Colonia Moscardó's controversial coach Javi Poves insulted him during a post-match press conference.
Valencia Stand Up for Their Man Against Controversial Flat-Earth Coach
Valencia CF have come out swinging in defense of striker Hugo Duro after he was branded a ‘subnormal’ by Javi Poves, the controversial president-coach of fourth-tier Colonia Moscardó known for his flat-Earth beliefs and public criticism of players.
The Mestalla club fired back with a cheeky social media post: “The problem with being flat isn’t on the surface, but in the mind. Respect always to everyone, especially our Hugo Duro.” Talk about a proper burn!
How the Spat Unfolded
The bizarre beef kicked off when Poves went on a post-match rant after his team conceded a late goal against Navalcarnero. During his tirade, he randomly took a pop at Hugo Duro, calling him “subnormal” while criticizing his own players’ performance levels.
Poves was having a right moan about conceding from a set-piece in stoppage time: “When you thought football couldn’t get any more cruel… But is that bad luck? No. It’s down to level. It’s level, boys, it’s level.”
He then bizarrely brought Duro into the conversation before continuing to slate his own players, even mentioning their heights and comparing them to a basketball team that still couldn’t defend set-pieces.
Duro’s Original Intervention
But why was Valencia’s striker even on Poves’ radar? Turns out Duro had previously called out the coach on X (formerly Twitter) after seeing a video compilation of Poves’ harsh public criticism of his own players.
Duro had posted: “I don’t talk about who has more or less football level. What I do tell you is that those young lads you criticize daily to make yourself famous – it hurts them, so be careful and be aware of the work behind each person.”
The Bigger Picture
This dust-up highlights the growing problem of social media spats in Spanish football, but also raises questions about coaching methods at lower-league level. Poves, already known for his controversial flat-Earth views, has now attracted attention for his management style too.
Valencia’s swift defense of their player shows the club standing firm against what they clearly view as unacceptable behavior from a coach, even one operating several divisions below them.
For Duro, who’s been in decent nick for Los Che this season, the support from his club will be appreciated as he focuses on matters on the pitch rather than social media beef with flat-Earthers.