The hostilities behind the signing of Nico Williams

BarcelonaIt was 2012 when Pep Guardiola's Barça had just defeated Athletic Club—again—in a Copa del Rey final. Calderón. Back then, a certain fraternity between the two sets of fans was also common when they whistled the Spanish anthem. However, it was during this time that the sporting rivalry between the Basques and Catalans took hold: between 2009 and 2021, they defeated them in four Copa del Rey finals. 2 anecdote.

During this period, there were other episodes that fueled the enmity between the two sets of fans and, by extension, between the representatives in the stands. During his visit to San Mamés, the home fans were vicious towards the La Mancha native because they felt he had overreacted in a harsh tackle on Fernando Amorebieta, resulting in his being sent off. 1983.

The start of the extra-sporting hostilities between Barça and Athletic Club

The institutional mess must be sought in recent seasons. Specifically, in the outbreak of the Negreira case, a breeding ground prior to the hostilities surrounding the Nico Williams signing. (summer), the rift between Jon Uriarte and Joan Laporta had already begun in 2023. "mafia".

Chants calling for the Catalan club's administrative relegation to the Second Division and referring to the repeated payments to Negreira, a case that is still pending before the courts, were heard in the stands. This would be accentuated by Barça's attempt to sign Nico, who made no secret of his closeness with Lamine Yamal and other Barça players during the Euro 2024 tournament. A few days before the final, Uriarte denounced the "public pressure" he was under, accusing the Spanish Football Federation of "not knowing how to protect him."

Between pressure from Athletic Club, which increased Nico's salary and gave him the number 10, and the lack of guarantees regarding his registration, the winger grew tired of waiting for Barça. This hurt Laporta, who ended up signing Dani Olmo. The Terrassa native was able to register for La Liga thanks first to Christensen's long-term injury, and then to a ruling by the CSD (Spanish Football Council) in January, which the Athletic Club president also criticized. At the start of last season, Uriarte did not attend the match at Montjuïc, using the excuse that he had to be at Aste Nagusia, Bilbao's most renowned popular festival. Nico was booed in Barcelona.

The signing of Nico Williams remains stalled

The tables have turned and it was the footballer himself, through his agent Félix Tainta, who has revived interest in joining Barcelona. But the deal remains stalled pending guarantees regarding his registration because Barça is still pursuing the deal. fair play exceeded his expectations. Along the way, Uriarte met with Javier Tebas to review the club's finances, while Laporta had previously invited him to "mind his own business."

Athletic responded with a statement announcing the meeting: "Nico has a contract until June 30, 2027. Minding our own business means ensuring that the rules are followed." Laporta responded by saying that Barça has the money to pay the release clause and that they "have nothing to hide" regarding the club's finances. The latest to speak out was vice president Rafa Yuste: "I hope Jon Uriarte reflects and the situation normalizes. Bilbao is applying emotional pressure that can't bring any happiness to its members, and they should ease up."