Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, former president of Betis, is admitted to the ICU of a Sevillian hospital. At 79 years old, he has once again suffered problems due to diverticulitis, an ailment that he already had in the past and for which he had to be hospitalized.
The Andalusian businessman remains admitted to the Intensive Care ward of the Santa Isabel Clinic since this Thursday and his prognosis is unknown. In 2017 he already had to undergo surgery for this same condition, diverticulitis, an abdominal obstruction.
Lopera has spent his entire life linked to Betis, a club he joined in 1991 as economic vice president. He presided over the green and white club between 1996 and 2006, being, along with Benito Villamarín Prieto, the longest serving president. During his tenure the Sevillian club achieved its greatest successes, winning the Copa del Rey (2005) and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in its history that same year.
There have also been many shadows under his direction. Judicial and sporting problems ended with the team being relegated to the Second Division in 2009 and with their departure from the club immersed in lawsuits.
