It’s not the harmony they would have wanted
The Spain squad has been caught up in an explosive row between the Spanish FA (RFEF) and Athletic Bilbao president Jon Uriarte a day before the Euro 2024 final.
Spain have spent the last four days preparing for the final in Berlin against England after beating France 2-1 in the semi-final.
The argument concerns the treatment of star winger Nico Williams who is currently a player at Athletic Bilboa and the lack of protection he has been getting from media interest.
The 22-year-old winger has been excellent this Euros and has garnered interest from giants across Europe, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona.
Bilboa president Jon Uriarte has claimed the Spanish FA should be protecting the player better after Williams continues to receive questions about his future from media at the tournament.
Uriarte lamented the Spanish FA in a fiery statement.
“Nico, a player who is committed to Athletic, has been subjected to a bombardment of questions about his future in an excessive and uncontrolled manner while at the European Championships.
“The RFEF have not been able to protect him. Respect between all the actors who make up football is a fundamental basis, or that’s how we view it at Athletic, which does not include subjecting players with contracts at one club to public pressure to join other clubs.
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“There are no limits to Athletic’s aspirations. We are demonstrating that we have an attractive project, a winning project for our players and our coach. The proof of that is that we have renewed the contracts of two of our internationals, Unai Simón (2029) and Dani Vivian (2032).
“Nico signed a new deal last year until 2027. Various other sought-after players have also committed their future to the club. Athletic are financially, socially and in sporting terms capable of keeping players of the caliber of those named in its structure, including Nico.”
The Spanish FA shot back with their own statement, further embroiling Williams in the conflict.
A statement read: “RFEF has treated Nico Williams in the same way we have treated the other 25 players who travelled to Germany. The impact that any of his words might have had is totally related to his performances and the great level he’s shown, and not to RFEF treating him differently.
Williams has one goal and one assist at Euro 2024 and has been an integral part of Spain’s convincing run to the final.
The 22-year-old winger has a release clause of £49m.
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