The match against Athletic Club had a clear protagonist, Gil Manzano. The unfortunate performance by the referee from Extremadura had a clear affect favouring Athletic Club's victory (0-2) at the Benito Villamarín Stadium. The penalties that were not awarded to Betis, which drove both the team and the supporters to distraction, were commented on by Gabriel Humberto Calderón, clearly enraged by the referee's performance, in his post match press conference.

If the referee had indicated what really happened on the pitch, would Betis have won?: “That will never be known. It is true that ignoring the penalty on Rubén Castro and awarding them the penalty which gave them 0-1, clearly made the team nervous. After that having a player is sent off made a huge difference. I am not one to make excuses, but enough is enough. In one of the best league competitions in the world a century old institution should be respected, and the game of football as well. On Thursday a penalty was awarded that was a disgrace. Are we bothering anyone? Who is Betis? All we ask is for them to be responsible, fair in their decisions and for them to have respect. If we are demoted it should be on our own merits, but today when faced with a life or death match we have to put up with this. We can't fight against this kind of thing. It's a shame for football”.

Perquis' expulsion: “Let's wait until tomorrow to talk about it because it is not a good idea to talk right after the match. He is more sorry than anyone. There is no explanation for what happened, but we have to talk about it tomorrow”.

Do you have a solution to turn the situation around?: “In these last two matches we have seen that the team wants to win and save the situation. The players have proved themselves to be men, they put their lives on the line with dignity. If a referee has a part to play then that is a mistake. In all good faith, I think it is had for a team to keep calm in situations like this. We saw a team that the supporters want, and if the team has to lose they do so like men. I think the team is more alive than ever. Today Betis has proved that they are truly great”.

Did you speak to the referee?: “I don't talk to referees. It is always better to calm down first. The institutions governing Spanish football have to be up to the job and I trust they will be in this case, but we have already lost the points. I would have preferred it if they had beaten us with football. There is nothing we can do in this situation, it is a sad day for Spanish football”.

Change in the scheduled time for Villarreal: “I understand they want to pay tribute to the fans. But what we want is to qualify for the next round in the UEFA Europa League. We are where we are in the League based on what we have done. What we don't want is for the schedule to be changed on a whim or by use of personal contacts. There is no respect for Betis. All teams should get the same respect whether the are top or bottom of the league. Football should not allow these people to do what they want".

Why is Betis not respected?: “Maybe because other clubs have better relationships because of their institutional stability. It doesn't matter who the president of the club is. There should be a way of doing things that does not depend the president you have. It is a shame that in a league like the Spanish league, one of the best in the world, is in this situation”.

Chances of staying in the First Division: “I am thinking about the team's continued improvement and focussing on them winning the next match. We cannot consider anything beyond that. We have to keep improving our level proving that we are a First Division team despite the fact that later we are mathematically relegated to the Second Division. If in the end we are relegated it will because of what we have done throughout the season. When I came here I was convinced I could get the team to play like they did in the first half the other day or like they did today. We can only thank the fans for their patience. I have to congratulate the players for having lived up to the responsibility of wearing the Betis shirt. We will continue fighting until the end".

Will you reserve anyone in the Europa League?: “I am going to field the best team I have on Thursday. And the same against Villarreal. We want to qualify for the next round of the Europa League. In the national league we have to bring home the three points we have been looking for since the match against RCD Espanyol”.

Will you stay with a Second Division Betis?: “My contract is as the President wanted it. I did not discuss money, terms or anything. He included the conditions he wanted. I was aware of the situation Betis was in. I came to take responsibility and fight for Betis. If we are relegated I would happily stay to get the team promoted again. There is no doubt in my mind, I will not abandon ship”.