Rafael Sánchez Guerra

Rafael Sanchez-Guerra

Rafael Sánchez-Guerra (October 28, 1897 in Madrid – April 2, 1964 in Villava) was President of Real Madrid between 1935 and 1936.

His presidency coincided with the Spanish Civil War and Sánchez-Guerra was a prominent Republican, refusing to flee Madrid as it was about to fall into the hands of Francisco Franco. He was captured, imprisoned by supporters of Franco before escaping to Paris where he became a prominent member of the government-in-exile. During the war itself, Sánchez-Guerra had little active involvement in the daily management of Real Madrid, acting with non official presidents Juan José Vallejo and Antonio Ortega (these two presidents were not elected), running things on his behalf.