Athletic offer lifetime directors’ box seat to former presidents after scrapping free tickets | OneFootball

Athletic have told former presidents they will receive a lifetime seat in the San Mamés directors’ box after scrapping courtesy tickets. The club phoned them, then confirmed the change in a registered letter delivered on Thursday.

The cuts also cover veterans, employees and first-team players, and prompted a media boycott at Camp Nou. According to El Correo, the squad later spoke in Vigo and said they want talks with president Jon Uriarte, a meeting still to be set.

Six of the eight living former presidents lunched at Bilbao’s Hotel Carlton, except Ignacio Ugartetxe and Josu Urrutia. José María Arrate said they were surprised by the club’s stance towards several groups and ruled out a common position for now.

Until this season, ex-presidents had four free seats in the Tribuna Sur Alta. First-team players had four seats and priority to buy two more, veterans about 100 and employees one. Uriarte’s board has ended those allocations and cut visiting clubs’ tickets to 25, the LFP minimum.

Iñaki Williams and Unai Simón said the blackout was to signal the board and that the issues go beyond tickets, affect staff and the women’s team, and have built up over several seasons. They added they are willing to pay for seats.

Former presidents Fernando García Macua, José Julián Lertxundi and Aitor Elizegi criticised the move, with Elizegi posting that he uses his own seat and that invites once recognised service. The Veterans’ Association also received a letter citing heavy demand, with more than 11,000 waiting.

Source: El Correo

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