Goikoetxea backtracks and apologises over criticism of scrapped Athletic invitations | OneFootball

Andoni Goikoetxea has apologised after publicly criticising President Uriarte’s decision to scrap complimentary invitations at Athletic Club. According to as.com, the club great admitted he was wrong and asked the club’s members for forgiveness.

His position as an ambassador for the Athletic Club Foundation amplified the impact of his comments. The former defender had voiced his anger on Radio Bilbao a week ago, questioning the board’s move.

He argued that invitations had always existed at the club and claimed ending them was being justified by a long membership waiting list. He called the change a heavy blow for ex-players and wondered whether everyone was really being treated the same.

After reflecting, he reversed course, saying he had made an ill-judged comparison and apologising to socios. He added that losing a perk enjoyed for decades understandably stings, and said he had only sought to express the ex-players’ viewpoint.

Goikoetxea withdrew his sandwich comparison, saying he did not believe it to be fair. He also referenced the board’s figure of 11,000 people on the waiting list, noting friends among them, and showed sympathy for parents hoping to register their children. He urged empathy for those making sacrifices to secure seats at San Mamés and signed off with a rallying cry for Athletic.

Source: as.com

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