Athletic Bilbao's policy on players

You clearly don't like it, and you're entitled to your opinion.

FIFA and UEFA haven't stepped in because they're not breaking any laws.

People in favour of it may argue that the policy is a celebration of Basque culture, language, and identity in a globalised world where regional distinctiveness is often eroded. It gives the Basque people a sense of pride and representation — a top-tier club that reflects their heritage on the global stage. Fans feel a deep connection to the team because the players are “one of us”, not just bought assets.

Their policy means youth development is a key focus for them, meaning they're very much in line with encouraging grassroots football, developing their own players and being an alternative to what a lot of modern top level clubs are.

 

The debate around the moral implications of Bilbao's signing policies is interesting. Will give it that.

Personally I think if it's not causing societal harm and both people of Basque and the rest of Spain are ok with the current status quo then I currently have no issues with it and would urge caution to trying to "do good" and make Bilbao change their policies in this instance.

 

*drops mic*

Walks off stage.

 

I neither li

I don't support Athletico Bilbao or any other spanish team. It makes no difference to me or Celtic what Bilbao's signing policy is.

I am simply curious and find it very strange that they make this policy public knowledge...they are proud of it even...and it's allowed to continue and even has its supporters.

This day and age of woke political correctness makes an issue of even the smallest bius against anyone.

UEFA have intervened over other less significant issues that have not broken criminal law.
We were fined for a banner they deemed offensive for example....no law broken there.

It seems crazy that in any other employment situation such a policy would be outrageous...and probably enough to get your company shut down.

In this case it gets overlooked, defended and even supported and made out to be some 'celebration of Basque culture'.
It does not discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation, race or religion. But it does discriminate and the club tell everyone about it like they are proud of it.

This being allowed...especially now in the age of woke culture where everything offends everyone...is very strange I think

 

They should fix the electricity problem in Spain. Fix it for every region except one. Electricity fixed for everyone living outside the Basque region. Bilbao can fix their own problems.
Plus they won't want electricians from outside the Basque region working in Bilbao anyway so there shouldn't be a problem. It's not as if that's discrimination or anything. It just shows support for Basque electricians

 

They are 1 of only 3 clubs in la liga to never be relegated. The other 2 being Real and Barca. So it doesn't seem.to he a problem or hindering them.

They have one of the best youth academies and scouting networks in world football and should he admired not torn down as being discriminatory.

If you think it's wrong or discrimination to only sign locally born or trained players then I'd suggest you never try to follow GAA, as that will really trigger you

 

Like I said, I do not particularly care what Bilbao do or who they sign.
I am however interested to know how this signing policy is allowed at that level of professional football

 

So you do care.

You are in the tiny minority that even suggest it’s discrimination.

Players don’t apply for jobs at football clubs, so nobody is being rejected or discriminated against. It’s every football teams discretion on who they sign, you could say that every team discriminates against the players they don’t sign… but that would be ridiculous wouldn’t it?

It’s also a strange claim to make when there’s real discrimination happening across the world against vulnerable groups of people. Not one person is losing out or being treated unfairly here.

Every team could take a lesson from them when it comes to their academy. It focuses on every level being brought up with the same values and same style of play. Something completely lost in the modern game. Their scouts are working towards bringing players in at a young level so they are Basque trained, they have 1,500 kids in at Under 10’s a few years ago. They have a culture and an identity, they’ve never been relegated. Socieded had their best success before they relaxed their own policy.

Discrimination suggests they see themselves as superior, but it’s just more of an identity. As has been said, non playing staff can be non-basque and these are roles that will be advertised and applied for.

 

Yeah but all I mean to say is it’s the same idea.

Bilbao consider their club as a Basque ‘national team’, so while it’s discriminatory it’s clearly acceptable in that context, even if there’s a wee bit of difference in the specifics.

 

Given the animosity/differences/wants between the Basque region and Madrid (government) if they were breaking laws Madrid would be jumping all over them I’m quiet sure.

 

Think the crux of this lies in trying to paint/show “woke” (lol) as somehow being a problem tbh and nothing more.

 

Not sure if you guys have access to it on Netflix but there’s a good La Liga Series on clubs in Spain and there was one last year on Bilbao talking about the differences in the Basque clubs in terms of their recruitment & philosophies - Nico & Iñaki were cited as modern examples of how it applies

Don’t even talk about negotiating with Athletic for one of their players, there is none - pay the fee & the VAT, the player is yours…else, adios

 

Why would it not be?

It's there club they can do what they want. Who's going to go in there and force them to sign a german

If anything they a choosing to operate with 1 hand tied behind their back so don't see other clubs raising any complaints about it

 

Huns transfer policy was discriminating against one group of people ....

I guess the difference is that Athletic don't do that.

 

It's a pretty amazing achievement to consistently play at the level they do with such rules in place. From a purely footballing perspective it must be brilliant for the region. Shows how awful our youth development is in comparison when you consider the drop off in our team if we tried to apply the same rules.

I don't have an issue with it however it does surprise me that it is allowed to exist in today's day and age. I doubt it would stand in Spain for any other industry - football is quite different when it comes to employment I guess.

 

But wouldn’t it encourage youth from the surrounding areas of Glasgow to think that they’re more likelihood of them being seen? Rather than the bigger clubs overlooking to develop the talent that is undoubtedly there.Why should a child being brought up in the Basque region be born with anymore football talent than one in Glasgow?