Buenos Aires, March 24 (NA) -- On the 50th anniversary of the start of the 1976 civic-military coup, Argentina's main football clubs issued institutional messages to commemorate the victims of state terrorism and reaffirm their commitment to collective memory under the banner of "Never Again". River Plate marked the date by stating it "does not forget" and reaffirmed its historical commitment to Memory, Truth, and Justice, in homage to the 30,000 disappeared. The club emphasized that the pain persists, that there are still identities to be recovered and crimes against humanity that must continue to be judged. "That's why these faces look at us," they concluded. "In the hearts of their loved ones," they added. The club also called on those with relatives or acquaintances who disappeared and were club members to contact them to restore their membership cards. Boca Juniors stated that it keeps alive the memory of the 30,000 disappeared left by the last military dictatorship in Argentina. The club paid tribute to Osvaldo Balbi, Carlos Horacio Vivas, José Orlando, and Luis Zukerfeld, whose relatives shouted "present!" in the stands. "In the dreams that do not falter," they indicated. Independiente also joined the commemoration and stated: "50 years after the Civic-Military Coup, Independiente says Never Again". San Lorenzo published a message focused on the memory of its missing fans: "They are present." The message closed with the "Never Again" slogan. Racing published one of the longest messages, with a direct reference to the absences in its stands. "That hole in the stand. And this other one. That's why these faces look at us. That's why these eyes encourage," they concluded with a triple "present". The club emphasized that the pain persists, that there are still identities to be recovered and crimes against humanity that must continue to be judged. "In the hearts of their loved ones. And this other one," the club described, remembering members and fans who disappeared as part of its history. The text closed with thanks for sharing the memory and the slogan of Memory, Truth, and Justice.
