1975: Aitor and Sergio, mourning through rebellion

Historical account of Racing Santander players Aitor Aguirre and Sergio Manzanera wearing black laces as armbands during a 1975 match to protest Franco regime executions.

On 18 September 1975, Racing Santander players Aitor Aguirre and Sergio Manzanera wore black bootlaces as armbands during a match against Elche to mourn five anti-Franco activists executed that week by the Spanish regime. The gesture was a rare act of sporting protest during the final days of Franco's dictatorship, which would end two months later. While Athletic Bilbao players had worn black armbands in an earlier match, their club falsely claimed it was a tribute to a former player to avoid controversy.