Government welcomes RCD Espanyol's 125th anniversary committee

Founded on October 28, 1900, Catalonia's RCD Espanyol football team is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the club based in Cornellà-El Prat met with the Catalan president and sports minister this week.

Real Club Deportivo Espanyol de Barcelona was founded in response to the prolific teams created during the late 19th century in the territory, mainly formed by foreign or Catalan players. As these teams did not allow nationals to join their lineups, Ángel Rodríguez Ruiz, Octavio Aballí, and Luis Roca created a club to welcome Spaniards who wanted to play football.

Catalan president Salvador Illa and sports minister Berni Álvarez met in the Palau de la Generalitat, the government's headquarters, with the team's 125th anniversary committee.

During the meeting, they exchanged ideas on the planned events to commemorate the 125th anniversary and "highlight the social, sportive, and cultural impact of the entity during these years," according to a statement shared by the team.

General manager Mao Ye, the club's foundation president, Antoni Fernández Teixidó, and members Rafa Marañón, José Luis Perelló, Carme Argilés, and Mónica Segura were among the attendees.

In previous events, the committee has met with Spain's delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, and with the El Prat de Llobregat city council.