Sporting supporters' federation 'deeply concerned' with Orlegi Group's management
The UNIPES fan group has released a scathing Christmas Day statement criticizing the Mexican ownership after four disappointing seasons at Gijón.
Sporting Gijón’s official supporters’ federation has publicly lambasted the club’s ownership in a Christmas Day statement that’s about as welcome as finding coal in your stocking.
The UNIPES federation (Unión de Peñas Sportinguistas) has released a blistering critique of the Mexican Orlegi Group’s management since taking over the Asturian club four years ago.
Four years of disappointment
The supporters’ statement pulls no punches, describing the sporting results under Orlegi as “not only disappointing, but deeply alarming” - strong words from fans who’ve clearly reached the end of their tether.
The federation points to a particularly damning fact: in three of the four seasons under Orlegi’s stewardship, Sporting has been closer to dropping out of professional football entirely than challenging for promotion to La Liga.
Project? What project?
UNIPES doesn’t mince words about what they see as fundamental problems:
- “Lack of project” at the club level
- “Succession of errors” in decision-making
- “Absolute inability to build a competitive, stable team”
Rather than seeing improvement, the supporters believe the sporting side is actually “retreating in a disturbing manner” - not exactly the progress fans were hoping for when the Mexican investors arrived.
Call for winter window action
The federation has specifically called on new club president José Riestra to “go all out” on the sporting side and make “an effort” in the January transfer window.
It’s clear the fans are getting proper narked off with the situation. Four years is a long time in football, and patience in Gijón is wearing Adam and Eve thin.
Despite the criticism, UNIPES has extended an olive branch regarding social initiatives, stating they’ll continue collaborating with the club on community matters while maintaining their criticism of on-field matters.
For Sporting fans, this Christmas statement represents a formal acknowledgment of frustrations that have been bubbling under the surface for some time. The ball is now in Orlegi’s court to respond.