Basque football crisis deepens as vice president Iñigo Zunzunegui resigns in funding row | OneFootball

Basque football's crisis has deepened as Iñigo Zunzunegui, one of three vice presidents at the Basque Football Federation, quit over a disputed split of funds. According to Diario Vasco, the plan passed despite firm opposition from Bizkaia, Álava and Gipuzkoa.

The row concerns 982,000 euros from the Spanish federation. Territorials previously received 95 percent and the Basque body five percent. An initial 60-40 proposal in favour of the Basque federation was changed at a late March board meeting to 40 percent for the Basque body and 60 percent for the territorials. Zunzunegui abstained in that vote.

He says the decision has deepened the rift between the Basque federation and the territorials, making his resignation unavoidable. He rejects the new distribution, arguing it leaves the territorials and their clubs exposed.

Zunzunegui notes that most responsibilities currently lie with the territorials, so he considers the split unfair and inequitable. He adds that he does not want any internal war and calls for dialogue on both sides.

He says he took the role to push for official recognition of the Basque national team, but after 10 months believes the Spanish federation seeks total control over Basque institutions and is distant from the territorials, making departure inevitable in his view. He thanks president Iker Goñi and the board for their trust, adding that his statement will be his final word on the matter.

Source: Diario Vasco