Athletic’s new shirt sparks Navarra row over Euskal Herria map | OneFootball

Athletic’s new shirt has sparked a political row in Navarra over a map of Euskal Herria on its upper back, overshadowing design tweaks such as red shoulders.

According to El Correo, unveiled on Wednesday, it depicts seven Basque territories, including Navarra, and is set to be worn at the Bernabéu tomorrow before becoming next season’s kit.

UPN objected first, asking the Spanish federation to block its use and threatening a complaint unless the feature is removed. Leader Cristina Ibarrola wrote to federation president Rafael Louzán, Athletic’s Jon Uriarte and Navarra president María Chivite. PP and Vox echoed the criticism, which the PNV rejected.

Navarra’s government issued a statement rejecting interference, arguing the map neither alters Navarra’s reality nor touches its official symbols. On X, spokesperson Javier Remírez cited law 4/2020, saying only the flag, coat of arms and anthem are protected, and that the government would not take a position on a private entity’s use of non-official symbols.

Ibarrola highlighted club materials stating each of the seven stripes represents a Basque territory and that the map and an ikurriña appear on the upper back. She called the graphic political, placing Navarra in an external construct, and urged Chivite to take all lawful steps. Previous shirts included the ikurriña but not a map.

Iñigo Ansola, president of the PNV’s Bizkai Buru Batzar, voiced total support for Athletic on Instagram and rejected divisive rhetoric, stressing shared history, culture and Euskera.

Source: El Correo