Edu Prieto Iglesiasof the Navarre Football Referees Committee, conducts football matches Second Division since 2020. That at present, because the referee was for three seasons (2013-2016 and 2018-2020) in the Spanish First Division. A journey that leads him to reflect on how he could help in the Ukraine war from his position.
The Navarrese referee has launched a solidarity initiative that has multiplied exponentially and that it has had the invaluable collaboration of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in general and the Referees Technical Committee (CTA) in particular, who have provided all possible facilities for the referee so that can carry out this beautiful and historic project.
“When all this is forging, I ask the CTA and Luis Medina Cantalejo for help. I told them my idea and at all times they told me that they know everything. They have given me facilities in terms of my matches, they themselves have donated money to buy what is needed, they have given me all their help and thanks to them many more people and it has been possible to expand the initiative”says the protagonist.
They have given me facilities in terms of my matches, they themselves have donated money to buy what is needed
the convoy
Edu Prieto acknowledges that he always had it in his head to lend a hand and being aware that he belonged to the world of football, he could take advantage of his profession to do everything possible. “That’s how the idea of this convoy was born, but not to do anything on my own, because I didn’t know exactly what was needed.”, contacted Cluster SOS Ukraine and thanks to them we approached the idea in this way. What started out as a convoy of one or two vehicles is now one made up of two ambulances and three off-road vehicles that will be loaded with medical supplies that the military hospitals will receive. It helps the soldiers but also the civilians who end up in these places.”
Wars are always a disaster, but with this kind of thing you reconcile with humanity and see that there are good people
wounded soldiers
Furthermore, it is about a historical action because the pertinent steps have been taken and the action coordinated by Prieto will be the first in power take wounded soldiers out of the Ukraine and bring them to Spainwhere in principle they will be directed to Pamplona and Barcelona. “It’s something historic and we’re going to be the first in Europe to achieve it.” Given the interest that the project has taken, Father Ángel, from Messengers of Peace and Sister Luca Caram will join him. “There will be a joint coordination to enter the Ukraine all three convoys together.”
I am seeing that the project is taking on a much larger entity than I expected.
“I am seeing that the project is taking on a much larger entity than I myself expected. That idea has become something real. I am only a facilitator among the people who want to help and the people who need it”, continues explaining the referee.
Acknowledge, yes, that on a personal level it is “an immense joy” because of the direction the project has taken. “It is that it has acquired a dimension difficult to imagine. I’m meeting people who are amazing. Many people have contacted me and they have decided to support us without expecting anything in return. It’s very enriching.”
“Wars are always a disaster, but with this kind of thing you reconcile with humanity and you see that there are also good people”ends visibly moved Edu Prieto.
Discussion about this post