Tante, Sporting de Gijón fan, dies at El Molinón aged 82 | OneFootball

Constantino Rodríguez, known in Pola de Siero as “Tante”, died aged 82 at El Molinón on Sunday. The long-time Sporting de Gijón supporter had travelled to Gijón to watch his team with his son and grandson.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the trio parked in El Coto and took their seats at the corner between the south end and the east stand. Tante had been a Silver member for years and a season-ticket holder for more than four decades.

Only four minutes had been played when he collapsed. Medical staff attempted to resuscitate him but he could not be saved, and the stadium fell into a heavy silence.

Rodríguez lived on San Antonio street in Pola de Siero. He retired at 64 under a handover scheme after a lifetime in construction as a bricklayer. He leaves his widow, Elisa, and a family already marked by the loss of his son Iván at 39.

His relatives said the club offered full support throughout a harrowing afternoon, highlighting Alejandro Irarragorri and his wife Laura Kalb, as well as José Riestra and Joaquín Alonso. Defender Brian Oliván gave his shirt to Sergio, Rodríguez’s 20-year-old grandson.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo