“We never coerce the press” | Relief

Donaueschingen (Germany).- This Thursday was Athletic’s day with the national team in the European Cup. If around 12:45 Dani Vivian was in charge of addressing the media after a superb performance against France in the semi-final, Just a few minutes after he finished speaking, news came from Bilbao about some statements by President John Uriarte that fell like a bomb in Germany. Speaking to local media, the leader accused the Royal Spanish Football Federation at the Ibaigan Palace of not providing sufficient protection for Nico Williams given the current market situation that constantly surrounds him.

Uriarte was insistent: “Nico is very loyal to Athletic. He is being bombarded with questions about his future in an excessive and uncontrolled manner when he is focused on playing in the European Championship. The Spanish Federation, in our opinion, did not know how to protect him. “Respect between all the factors that make up football is a fundamental basis, or so we understand it at Athletic, which has no formula that could subject players under contract to other clubs to public pressure to try to include them in its structure.”

And he added: “Athletic is aiming for the maximum, without limits. We are showing that we have a project that is very attractive and profitable for our players and coach. We have renewed players who compete in the European Cup, like Unai Simon or Vivian. Niko signed a contract last year until 2027. And such coveted players in the market as Prados, Oyhan Sunset, Julen or Paredes, for example, have also made commitments. “Athletic is capable of retaining players of the calibre I have named in my squad.”

In such an outbreak it was necessary – or at least responsible – to insist on the version RFEF. And, without having to make a public statement in response, his reasoning off the record, This is what it was: “Niko was treated the same as the other players. The Federation does everything in consultation with the player and his agency. What he never does is force questions or veto. This may mean that we will not constantly delve into certain topics, especially those that are not related to what we are here for, namely the National Team. But we never force the press, we never tell them what to ask or not to ask.”

Tensions are mounting just three days before Spain play the European Championship against England at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin (Sunday, 9pm, La1). and 48 hours after sporting director Mikel Gonzalez attended the semi-final in Munich. support three players of the athletics team, as happened in other concentrations. In addition, Niko’s representative, Felix Teinta, visited him to be closer to the franchise player and his family. at such a crucial moment in his career, with the constant temptations of Barcelona and the Prime Minister on the table.

Both professionals were always aware of the large number of requests that came in during the European Cup with Nico Williams. And the RFEF communications department, headed by Enrique Junta, maintains constant contact between the international community and the footballer’s agency, MB Comunicación. So far, although its professionals prefer not to speak out so as not to distract attention from the final, no problems have arisen between the parties. In fact, they have a great and dynamic relationship with Athletic as they work with a lot of the club’s players, such as Inaki Williams and Sunset.

An unattainable example

The ideal for Athletic, according to the Federation, is for Nico Williams to have the same relationship with the press as Rodrigo, on his own initiative. The Manchester City midfielder, who will certainly not have to answer uncomfortable questions about his future since he will remain linked to his current club, gave only two interviews during his entire concentration: to Cope and EFE. And then he appeared in the previews of Croatia (debut) and France (semi-final), except for the day when Spain played Georgia, because he was named MVP. But the reality is that the Atletico winger, on the other hand, has fulfilled a large number of requests that have come his way both from within the country and from outside. Featuring cover poses (like the San Fermin scarf on Michele Merino) and a video with Lamin Yamal.

The problem, as Relevo has verified, is that in Bilbao, Niko’s interviews tend to be valued much more. Especially during the renewal process, when he hardly appeared in the media after the games. The club is therefore now surprised that the Federation has allowed it to appear in all the national newspapers with the largest circulation, as well as on major radio stations. where the central issue to be discussed, but not the only one, was his future.

Yes, indeed, Niko is one of the few footballers who has not yet held a press conference in the national team’s media centre; something that most of his colleagues have already done, and this part of the press relations is the least controlled of all. This daily round of questions can be extended to 25 minutes. when confrontations with one medium are reduced to a maximum of 15. Niko only appeared at the beginning at a promotional event for the Silbö Telecom brand, which was resolved with few questions.