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Amelia del Castillo, First Woman to Lead a Spanish Football Club, Dies at 82

Pinto has ordered three days of mourning with flags at half-staff to honor the club founder, a trailblazing 1963 president.

Overview

  • The Pinto city council confirmed her death at 82 and set official mourning for December 28–30 with flags at half-staff, keeping Christmas events at the family's request.
  • Del Castillo founded Club Atlético de Pinto and on October 15, 1963 became the first woman to preside over a Spanish football club.
  • The municipal plenary unanimously granted her the title Hija Predilecta on November 19 in recognition of her pioneering contributions.
  • She later served as Atlético de Pinto's honorary president and recalled being urged to step aside by a former mayor who claimed football was not for women.
  • Her legacy frames the club's present, as Atlético de Pinto is currently owned by entrepreneurs involved in unresolved legal disputes with the town hall.