Athletic have stretched the definitions of their cantera policy in the past (and certainly done a bit of poaching talent from local rivals), but although Fernando Llorente is not much of a ‘true’ Basque compared to the boys from Gipuzkoa and Biscay, he has at least been at the club since he was about 11 years old so certainly is a good example of a player who has been brought through the system, which is the second idea of the policy alongside the Basque nationality aspect. On the other hand, what real link with Athletic and the Basque Country does David Lopez have? The self-limiting players’ policy might make less sense if there was also a Basque international team (along with other ‘near nations’ like Bavaria, Brittany and Catalonia) but as there isnt, Athletic have taken on the role of representing their people on a big stage. Along with Euskaltel cycling, they have done much more to promote awareness and interest in the Basque country amongst foreigners than the actions of ETA terrorists.

Speaking as a Scot who is embarrassed by the UK-loving, Catholic-hating Rangers fan and the supporters of Celtic who claim to be Irish and not Scottish even when that is not who they are, I would be proud to support a Scottish club side which played Scottish players in a European or UK league, for example. The current Scottish national team would have a fair chance of staying up in the Premiership. They wouldnt be the best team and wouldnt win anything, but at least you could say ‘the local lads are trying their best so we’ll back em’.

The Scottish team would probably do no worse than Wigan, who have never won anything, and even a big club like West Ham, what have they done to be proud of in the last 40 years, apart from bringing through talented players who would rather take the money and join Chelsea and Man U than stay loyal to the club whose fans’ dedication and finacial backing gave them the chance to be rich and successful footballers? Surely the point of supporting a football team (apart from the relentless pursuit of success which is measured by the winning of a handful of trophies which will always be out of the reach of most clubs not backed by megalomaniac billionaires) is to be proud of the players and what the club represents, and the Athletic Bilbao supporters do have that pride, and that is why they are an admirable club.

I just hope the match-fixing rumours arent true!

I think Athletic will hold on to their tradition for quite a while to come. It was only recently that they began to sign players that had some link to the Basque Country but were not born in it, and then players from Cantabria and La Rioja. Since Athletic is owned by their socios, the force that will change that policy isn’t going to come from within, not while the club is still doing relatively well compared to its Basque neighbours.

1) You mix politics with ethnicity. Navarra is not part of the Basque Autonomous Country, because Navarra refused to be part of it 30 years ago, more or less. Political reasons. But is considered part of the greater Basque Country (not the community), considered as the seven basque language keeper regions (Bisscay, Guipuzkoa, Alava and Navarre in Spain, and the basque french regions, the so called Pays Basque-Français in France, which is formed by Lower Navarre, Labourd and Soule). Navarra people are considered as Basque, they talk Basque Language (mostly in northern towns of Navarra) and they basque cultural heritage.

2) Another mistake you did is that Fernando Llorente was born in Pamplona (Navarra) and grew up in Rincon de Soto (La Rioja), so he can play as he is a basque born player.
3) Apart of basque born ones, basque people’s sons, even if they are born outside Basque Country. In that case, inform yourself better, because both Mario Bermejo and Alex Garcia can play because of the reason explained before, even if they are born in Santander or Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The reason is to be basque born or basque born’s son, as i explained in the lines above.

I respect your opinion but i cannot share because it is not the truth. It’s you who mixed politics in your post, and the only thing i did, with all my respects, was to answer to your post.

Signed by an Athletic de Bilbao’s supporter who loves this website

For example, you ask about Fernando Llorente. He´s not for Navarra (which is not part of Basque Country, but they consider “navarros” their brothers), he´s from La Rioja.

And have had another players like Alex Garcia o Mario Bermejo from Santander.

The worst part is the double standarts they us to mix football and politics.

Sorry for my bad english, love this website.