"Gil called me a traitor for refusing to play"

Posted Wednesday, November 19, 2014 by Marca.com

There has been a lot of commotion about my words regarding the Espanyol-Atlético match in the 1990-91 season. All I did was explain my experiences, what I went through and did at a difficult moment, when I chose to prioritise keeping my dignity by not playing in a match that smelled rotten.

I do not take back anything I said. I know the truth; I know what happened, I admit my responsibility in the events I described and I think MARCA is the perfect place to explain myself further.

We no longer had anything to play for that season, while they were fighting for their lives and needed to win at any cost.

So Jesús Gil came to talk to me. He walked over and said, "Paulo, we can't win. Tell your teammates. Tell them not to run". I couldn't believe my ears and I said to him, "What are you on about? Why?" And Gil made it crystal clear, replying "I have a deal with Espanyol".

I wasn't willing to cooperate with a sham like that and so I told him as much: "Boss, don't count on me to talk to my teammates or to play in this match. I don't want to be involved in anything like this. You tell them yourself". That's when Gil flew into a rage and started insulting me: "Listen, you Portuguese traitor, I'm never going to pay you again for as long as I live".