Basque leaders rally behind Jon Uriarte after harassment complaint | OneFootball

According to El Correo, Athletic president Jon Uriarte has reported a campaign of harassment and threats to the Ertzaintza, prompting swift cross-party messages of support and condemnation.

The report says a group of young radicals linked to football repeatedly entered the entrance of his Bilbao home to leave intimidating messages about his role. Uriarte provided police with a detailed account and written and video material indicating surveillance since at least 22 December, peaking on nine January when a youth dressed as a postman handed a defiant letter to the building’s doorman.

Basque vicelehendakari Ibone Bengoetxea expressed full support for Uriarte and called for firm rejection of threats or surveillance against anyone. She noted there is a complaint on file and said it is time to investigate and await the outcome.

PNV Bizkai Buru Batzar leader Iñigo Ansola backed Uriarte, calling the insults intolerable and saying they are almost always carried out in Euskadi by the same groups representing a specific ideology. The PNV’s spokesperson in the European Parliament, Oihane Agirregoitia, also criticised the situation and linked it to recent incidents in Bilbao and on the UPV/EHU campus.

EH Bildu sources said Arnaldo Otegi conveyed solidarity to Uriarte and to Athletic, while declining to comment on the events. PSE-EE leader Eneko Andueza condemned intolerance in sport and said he was confident the investigation would bring those responsible before a judge.

Basque PP president Javier De Andrés offered solidarity, lamenting harassment by the usual radicals and branding such ultras as a blight on football and society. Podemos Euskadi issued an unequivocal condemnation, calling the behaviours deeply undemocratic, aimed at instilling fear and silencing dissent, and a red line that must not be crossed.

Source: El Correo