Uriarte defends Euskal Herria map on Athletic shirt, says club is for everyone | OneFootball

Jon Uriarte moved to address recent controversies at Athletic, defending the inclusion of the Euskal Herria map on next season’s shirt. According to El Correo, he described Unión del Pueblo Navarro’s complaint to the Comité de Competición Profesional as artificial and driven by political interests.

Speaking at a season review press conference, he said Athletic belongs to everyone, that the club defends fundamental rights and Euskera, and that politics should stay out. He added that there had been no such row regarding Iparralde.

The men’s first team wore the new shirt on the final day at the Bernabéu. The backlash escalated once the item went on sale. UPN’s stance was amplified by PP and Vox, while the PNV opposed it.

The Navarre government later issued a statement rejecting any interference in Athletic’s decision, arguing the map does not affect the community’s reality or its official symbols.

UPN president Cristina Ibarrola argued the emblem breaches the ban on political messages on equipment set out in IFAB’s Laws of the Game, Law 4.5, and in RFEF competition regulations. Uriarte countered that Euskal Herria is a cultural concept that unites traditions, and that it aligns with Athletic’s philosophy.

Source: El Correo