Libertad DSF
In the coming weeks, you’ll probably read about Libertad VCF, who if you are not already aware, reads as Freedom Valencia Football Club. Already they have organised a protest for the next game at Mestalla to protest the demolition job taking place on the East Coast. If you look a little further north, you will find one misused entity who has managed a happy ending.
Libertad DSF – Freedom Denis Suárez Fernández. The Galician technician, who had returned home to be a hero, lived long enough to become a villain, and eventually was exiled in Vigo. The 29-year-old has been out of action for the last seven months after going to war with Celta Vigo President Carlos Mouriño.
The feud began in 2022 when the jewel of Celta’s academy, Bryan Bugarin, was whisked away to Real Madrid. A furious Mouriño, not known for his diplomacy, let off a tirade of fury at Intermedia Sports Player, the agency representing Bugarin. He is meant to be that good, the poor sod is just 13 and already he has been compared to – you guessed it – Lionel Messi.
However when Suárez and Iago Aspas tweeted out their disdain for Mouriño’s comments, the President turned his ire in their direction. Aspas backed down, Suárez did not. This rumbled on for entire season as the former Arsenal and Barcelona man glided across Chacho Coudet’s midfield, demonstrating that he belongs in European football.
However when the new campaign began, Mouriño followed through on his threats and sent Suárez to the stands. Since the end of last season, Suárez has been forced to train alone, away from his friends and teammates. With one exception – for the Celta open training session, where he was allowed a single hour out from his ostracism.
Why didn’t he just leave? Mouriño claims he has deliberately run down his contract to do the club out of money, rejecting a number of very agreeable offers. Suárez retorted that he had never seen such an offer, nor had he touted out Celta players to other clubs, and asked Mouriño to produce the receipts for his claims.
Finally, after months on end, the lunacy has reached its terminus too. On Tuesday it was confirmed by Espanyol that Suárez would be joining them until the end of the season, with several reports claiming he will then join former loan side Villarreal for free at the end of the season.
Regardless of who was telling the truth, or which party can look over yonder down at the other from their moral hill, Mouriño has been President of Celta since 2006. He might be 79, but the chances are he will extend his 16-year reign for a few years yet. Suárez will perhaps reach that longevity as a footballer, but little of it will be at his prime.
What will end up as a footnote in his time in football will be a major blotch on Suárez’s, just when he was beginning to shine brightest. With a little luck, he will regain fitness and sharpness quickly, returning to what was an excellent level pre-excommunication. There is no doubt that Suárez’s loss is much greater and for that matter, we missed out one of the most enjoyable sights on offer in La Liga too. Denis in full flow is a delight.
And delighted all parties should be too, that this saga, stretching out over nearly two years, appears to be at an end. A saga that benefitted no-one. Finally, Denis is free. Fingers crossed Libertad VCF get some joy at ending the lunacy down there too.