Area: Sevilla FC Academic Chair

This section is where we describe the various actions carried out by the Sevilla FC Chair – UPO: University, Business, and Sports.

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José Andrés Nevado Villalba, awarded the Manuel Blasco Garzón Prize.

The Special Jury Prize of the 4th Edition of the Manuel Blasco Garzón Awards has been granted to José Andrés Nevado Villalba for his outstanding work titled “Are soccer clubs sensitive to financial scandals? Evidence from the Plusvalenza case.”

This study analyzes the impact of the Plusvalenza financial scandal, involving the football club Juventus of Turin. To conduct this case study, José Andrés Nevado applied a methodology based on financial event analysis. His research concludes that the financial market reacts more strongly to negative news than to favorable court rulings.

Moreover, this work raises important ethical questions: Is it profitable for football clubs to break the law if the market reacts negatively?

The study conducted by José Andrés Nevado Villalba not only offers key insights into the financial sphere of football but also contributes to applications in professional football regulation, club management, and investment decision-making.

The Manuel Blasco Garzón Prize continues its mission of recognizing young talent, supporting and encouraging students to pursue academic and scientific research.

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Javier Merino Pérez, awarded the Manuel Blasco Garzón Prize.

The student Javier Merino Pérez has been awarded the Blasco Garzón Prize, endowed with 800 euros, for his work in the field of sports and exercise science, titled “Comparison of two training protocols with different velocity loss in the set on performance in the bench press exercise.”

The study conducted by Javier Merino Pérez analyzes the impact of two training approaches based on controlling the average propulsive velocity and the percentage of velocity loss during the bench press exercise, with the goal of optimizing performance and minimizing fatigue.

For the study, Javier Merino compared two groups: one with a fixed protocol of a constant 25% velocity loss, and another with a wave-like progression where the percentage of loss varied from session to session. Both models showed significant improvements in physical performance, but the group with constant velocity loss achieved similar or superior gains in maximum strength and muscular endurance.

The study concludes that both methods are effective, but maintaining a constant velocity loss may be particularly useful during strength development phases, while varying the percentage could be beneficial at strategic points in training, such as at the end of a microcycle or in pre-competition preparation.

The Manuel Blasco Garzón Prize continues its mission of recognizing young talent, supporting and encouraging students to continue their work in academic and scientific research.

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Alejandra López Cabrera, awarded the Manuel Blasco Garzón Prize.

Alejandra López Cabrera has been awarded the Blasco Garzón Prize in the Business category (Master’s Thesis), endowed with 800 euros.

Her study, focused on nemaline myopathy, one of the most common forms of congenital myopathies, primarily caused by mutations in the ACTA1 and NEB genes. This condition, which affects muscle function, is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal intracellular iron accumulation, as observed in dermal fibroblasts from affected patients.

This work not only provides new insights into the cellular mechanisms of nemaline myopathy but also opens the door to the development of future therapies aimed at improving mitochondrial function in patients with this rare disease.

The Manuel Blasco Garzón Prize continues its mission of recognizing young talent, supporting and encouraging students to continue their work in the field of academic and scientific research.

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Ignacio Gómez Dolader, awarded the Manuel Blasco Garzón Prize.

The student Ignacio Gómez Dolader has been awarded the Blasco Garzón Prize, endowed with 450 euros, for his work in the field of sports and exercise science. His study, focused on how strength influences the balance of young acrobatic gymnasts, has been of great interest to the jury due to its relevance and scientific rigor.

The research analyzes how maximum isometric strength and jump power influence balance performance, particularly depending on the athlete’s biological development stage, especially in athletes near their peak height velocity (PHV).

Ignacio Gómez Dolader conducted a cross-sectional study with 34 female gymnasts, observing notable differences between athletes near PHV and post-PHV, with the latter showing better results in both strength and balance.

The results of Ignacio Gómez Dolader’s work provide scientific value of special interest, in addition to potential practical applications in training planning for acrobatic sports.

The Manuel Blasco Garzón Prize continues its mission of recognizing young talent, supporting and encouraging students to continue their work in the field of academic and scientific research.

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The Sevilla FC Chair, in collaboration with the Pablo de Olavide University, presents the Manuel Blasco Garzón Awards.

The Sevilla FC Chair: University, Business, and Sport at Pablo de Olavide University presented the Manuel Blasco Garzón Awards this morning

The students, winners of the 4th edition of the Manuel Blasco Garzón Awards at Pablo de Olavide University, had the opportunity to attend the awards ceremony organized by the Sevilla FC Chair in collaboration with the university.

The awards were divided into the following categories: Business (Master’s Thesis – TFM), Business (Bachelor’s Thesis – TFG), Sports (Master’s Thesis – TFM), and Sports (Bachelor’s Thesis – TFG). In addition to the academic recognition that comes with receiving this prestigious award, the winning students were granted a cash prize of €800 for Master’s theses and €450 for Bachelor’s theses.

  • In the Business category (TFM), the award was given to Alejandra López Cabrera for her work titled “Mitochondrial dysfunction in nemaline myopathy.”
  • In the Sports category (TFM), the prize went to Javier Merino Pérez for his thesis “Comparison of two training protocols with different velocity loss thresholds on bench press performance.”
  • In the Sports category (TFG). Ignacio Gómez Dolader received the award for his research “Influence of strength on static and proactive balance in young gymnasts.”
  • Additionally, the jury awarded a Special Prize to José Andrés Nevado Villalba for his thesis “Are soccer clubs sensitive to financial scandals? Evidence from the plusvalenza case.”

The 4th Edition of the Manuel Blasco Garzón Awards once again highlights the support and commitment of the Sevilla FC Chair, alongside Pablo de Olavide University, to fostering young talent in research and academic study within the fields of business and sport.

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Sevilla FC launches our Fitness Academy Program

Sevilla Fútbol Club continues to strengthen its educational programs through its Innovation Center and has officially launched its Fitness Academy program with the visit of a group of fitness coaches from the Polish Football Federation.

The PZPN group experienced an immersive journey, where they learned both the theoretical and practical aspects of the club’s physical preparation methodology, guided by various coaches and specialists from within the organization. They also had the opportunity to see the diagnostic center in action, understand the training methodology firsthand, and attend a youth friendly match between Sevilla FC’s Cadete A and Austria Vienna.

“The experience we’ve had over the last three days has been truly fantastic. We’ve discovered a very open club. Everyone here has a lot of knowledge, but they are also very willing to share it and their experiences with us. So yes, we’ve had a great time. The facilities are incredible. There are many fields, multiple gyms, lots of equipment and gear that we’ve been fortunate to access and use. The methodology is interesting. But yes, it’s really fascinating to see a solid methodology across all teams and a very well-defined playing model,” said Naomi Datson, a UEFA coach who accompanied the PZPN group during these training sessions.

For his part, Łukasz Radziminski, coordinator of the PZPN’s fitness coach course, also spoke highly of the visit to Sevilla FC, especially praising the human quality of the club’s professionals: “These days have given us so much—so much knowledge, so much practical insight—and we’ve had the opportunity to meet the great Sevilla FC family. We’ve met many excellent coaches. We’ve seen many impressive facilities. The methodology is truly outstanding. But I think the most important thing in the club, what gives us a complete picture of Sevilla FC, is its people. And the people at Sevilla FC are truly amazing. These individuals have made this club a top-tier, elite team.”

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Taking part in the Employment and Entrepreneurship Fair of the UPO

The Pablo de Olavide University has presented the 9th edition of its Employment and Entrepreneurship Fair, which will be held in person on April 22 and 23, and online on April 24. The event, driven by the UPO (Pablo de Olavide University), aims to connect students with companies and entities from the productive sector. This edition will feature the Sevilla Innovation Center, as part of the program framed within the Sevilla FC Chair: university, business, and sport.

A new feature in this edition is the virtual phase of the Fair, which will be carried out through a new web platform. The Vice-Rector for Students, Employability, and Entrepreneurship, Amapola Povedano Díaz, highlighted this development during the opening ceremony, stating that “we aim for the 9th edition of the Employment and Entrepreneurship Fair to foster interaction between companies, institutions, and the talent generated by the university.”

The Employment and Entrepreneurship Fair will feature various information stands, a business pavilion, job offers, an exhibitor agenda, and a conference schedule. Students, who must register in advance to participate in the different activities, will be able to explore first-hand the job opportunities available after finishing their studies, as well as current labor market demands.

Through a virtual platform, students will be able to register for different meetings with companies, learn about their internship and hiring plans, sign up for in-person talks, submit their resumes to companies, and access the information provided by the various participating companies.

The Innovation Center will be present with an informative and innovative stand offering its training programs.

We look forward to seeing you in person on April 22 and 23 and online on April 24!

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The winners of the 4th edition of the Blasco Garzón Awards have been chosen

The ‘Sevilla FC Chair: University, Business, and Sport’ at Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) opened the submission period for the 4th edition of the Manuel Blasco Garzón Award on January 29. This award recognizes excellence in the best Bachelor’s and Master’s Final Projects presented by UPO students, including both official degrees and lifelong learning programs.

Through this initiative, Sevilla FC, via its Innovation Center, aims to promote research, academic study, and knowledge transfer across various fields. The list of accepted submissions can be found at this link.

The Manuel Blasco Garzón Award pays tribute to the former Sevilla FC president, under whose leadership the club won two Andalusian Cups, hired its first team doctor, organized its first training camps, and hosted the Spanish Cup final at the Reina Victoria Stadium between FC Barcelona and Arenas Club de Getxo.

Blasco Garzón was also a key figure in Seville’s social and cultural life, serving as president of the Ateneo de Sevilla and promoting educational initiatives to improve cultural access in neighborhoods and combat illiteracy.

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A February full of visits and training sessions.

The Innovation Center of Sevilla Fútbol Club continues to establish itself as a benchmark in training and innovation within the football industry. In recent weeks, the club has hosted up to four training programs, strengthening its role as a hub for the development of players, coaches, and sports professionals.

In this context, the Training Facilites José Ramón Cisneros Palacios has welcomed two international clubs as part of its Players Academy program. First, FK Terlicko 2022 from the Czech Republic enjoyed an immersive experience that included high-level training sessions led by club coaches. Additionally, the young footballers had the opportunity to take an exclusive tour of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, delving into the history and greatness of Sevilla FC, and attended a Sevilla Atlético match at the Jesús Navas Stadium, experiencing the competition atmosphere firsthand.

On the other hand, Lincoln Red Imps Football Club, the most decorated team in Gibraltar, also took part in the Players Academy program with the goal of strengthening its youth academy’s training methodology. The U8 team from the Gibraltarian club participated in training sessions alongside Sevilla FC’s youth coaches and played a friendly match against Sevilla FC’s U8, fostering both sporting and cultural exchange between the two entities.

Beyond player development, the Innovation Center has also served as a learning platform for professionals in the industry. In this regard, students from the Master’s in Physical Preparation and Rehabilitation in Football at UCAM took part in a series of practical workshops led by Sevilla FC specialists at the Assessment Center, where they gained first-hand experience with advanced methods for performance analysis and optimization. They also had the opportunity to explore both the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium and the state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to the first team at the Ciudad Deportiva.

Finally, the LALIGA Business School training program also found a strategic partner in Sevilla FC for the specialization of its students. On this occasion, students from the Master’s in Sports Management received specialized training from various club professionals, deepening their understanding of key aspects of management and decision-making in elite football.

Through these initiatives, Sevilla Fútbol Club reaffirms its commitment to innovation, education, and talent development, further establishing its Innovation Center as a leading space in the international football landscape.

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List of accepted works in the IV edition of the Blasco Garzón Award

The ‘Cátedra Sevilla FC: Universidad, Empresa y Deporte’ at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO) opened the submission period for the III edition of the Manuel Blasco Garzón Award on November 20. This award recognizes the excellence of the best Bachelor’s and Master’s theses presented by students enrolled at UPO, both in official degrees and in continuing education programs. Through this initiative, Sevilla FC, via its Innovation Center, aims to promote study, research initiation, and knowledge transfer across various fields. The list of accepted submissions can be consulted at this link.

The Manuel Blasco Garzón Award pays tribute to the memory of the former president of Sevilla FC, under whose tenure the club won two Andalusian Cups, hired the first doctor in the club’s history, organized the first training camps, and secured the hosting of the Spanish Cup final at the Reina Victoria Stadium, contested between FC Barcelona and Club Arenas de Guecho. Additionally, his board included a young man destined to write the greatest chapters in the club’s history: Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Blasco Garzón was also a prominent figure in Seville’s social and cultural life at the time, serving, among other roles, as president of the Ateneo de Sevilla and promoting projects aimed at bringing culture to local neighborhoods, contributing to citizens’ education, and helping combat illiteracy.

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Nigerian Chimezie Obi joins Sevilla FC D and calls on his compatriot Ola Great for a trial at our International Team

Sevilla FC D, the club’s international team, continues to strengthen its squad with young talents from around the world, welcoming Nigerian forward Chimezie Paul Obi.

The 19-year-old player has already integrated into the training sessions of Óscar Olomo’s team and has shared his feelings about his first experience with the club.

“Well, my experience in Seville is very good. I enjoy everything about the city; everything is great in Seville. I’m very happy to be in Seville because it’s one of the clubs I dreamed of being a part of. So, I’m very happy to be at Sevilla FC,” he commented about his first days at the club.

In addition to the Nigerian forward, the international team have players from Indonesia, the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Sweden.

Furthermore, Chimezie Paul Obi has sent a message calling on his compatriot Ola Great to undergo a trial with Sevilla FC D in the coming months:

“Hello, my friend Ola. I’m Obi Paul, a Nigerian player for Sevilla FC D, and we would love for you to come and take a trial with our international team. We’re waiting for you.”

Ola Great had challenged Sevilla FC’s English account on X (formerly Twitter), asking how many times his post would need to be shared to secure a trial with the club. After meeting the required number of shares, Sevilla FC has opened the door for him to try out for Sevilla FC D, the club’s international team.

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The Grande FC Academy visits Sevilla’s Training Facilities

The Grande FC Academy from Japan visited the Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros Palacios to join the Players Academy program of the Innovation Center at Sevilla FC, playing a friendly match against the club’s Infantil A team.

The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was a great opportunity to strengthen ties with international football stakeholders, highlighting the club’s commitment to global collaboration and youth talent development. Played with great intensity and sportsmanship, the match reflects Sevilla FC’s commitment to initiatives that unite cultures and enhance the global impact of football.

The Players Academy program at Sevilla FC is an initiative aimed at the comprehensive development of young footballers on an international level. Through this platform, the Andalusian club offers players from different countries the opportunity to experience an elite training methodology based on the values, techniques, and playing philosophy that have characterized Sevilla FC throughout its history. This program also promotes cultural exchange and the creation of links with academies and clubs worldwide, strengthening its global presence and commitment to youth talent development.

On the other hand, the Grande FC Academy from Japan is a well-recognized institution in the Asian country for its focus on the development of young players, combining solid technical training with values such as discipline, respect, and teamwork. Founded with the aim of preparing its players to compete at the highest level, the academy has built a reputation for excellence in talent development and collaboration with prestigious international entities.

The visit of the Grande FC Academy to Sevilla not only served for the sporting development of the players but also for the exchange of knowledge and experiences between both institutions. Such encounters contribute to strengthening Sevilla FC’s international relations and consolidating its role as a benchmark in the training of footballers on a global scale.