Freedom fighters
The Basque national team’s quest for recognition
“It is something our society asks for; it is not something new, it is something we long for” Basque Football Federation vice-president Nerea Zalabarria
After rejecting the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire, the likelihood of FIFA accepting a significantly more controversial application from the Basque Football Federation (BFF) was always unlikely.
Known as the “Euskadi”, the Basque XI has a long history. They took on reigning Olympic football champions Uruguay back in 1922 and played a series of tour games during the Spanish Civil War, but didn’t play again until after the death of General Franco, the Spanish dictator.
In 1978, the Spanish constitution was changed to create 17 autonomous communities. The Basques, Catalonia and Galicia began to play regular friendlies against other international sides. Since drawing 0-0 with the Soviet Union at Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames stadium, the Euskadi have played swathes of full FIFA members, often winning.
The most recent game was a 2-1 win in November 2020 over Costa Rica with Athletic Bilbao centre back Unai Nunez getting a stoppage-time winner.
The Euskadi selection drew heavily on Athletic Bilbao, whose captain Iker Muniain netted the opener. Osasuna midfielder Roberto Torres, Real Sociedad’s Ander Guevara, Anaitz Arbilla of Eibar and Alaves midfielder Manu Garcia also played, while overseasbased players such as Mikel San Jose of Birmingham City featured previously. Javier Clemente took charge for the Costa Rica match, which was played at an empty San Mames due to coronavirus, but games normally attract big crowds and the BFF claim there is widespread support for a separate team.
“It is something our society asks for; it is not something new, it is something we long for. And we have the support of our [Basque] government,” says vicepresident Nerea Zalabarria.
The BFF had discussed joining since the 1970s. After a landslide vote in favour in 2018, the BFF eventually made an official application at the end of last year, when Zalabarria and BFF president Luis Maria Elustondo joined lawyer David Salinas-Armendariz and Jon Redondo, director of physical activity and sports at the Basque Government, on a trip to Switzerland.
New FIFA members need to be a member of a regional confederation first and the party visited FIFA in Zurich and UEFA in Nyon.
Zalabarria adds: “We wanted to proceed in a soft manner, we wanted to have as much support from different institutions and then COVID appeared. We thought we could apply at the same time; moreover, considering the difficulties we have now to travel, we thought it could be the best.
“They do not agree and sent our document to the [Spanish federation] RFEF. And the RFEF has sent us a letter; now we are working on how to respond to it.”
To secure UEFA or FIFA membership, the Basques needs the permission of the RFEF or to be recognised as independent by the United Nations. Both are unlikely. Taking part in Euro or World Cup qualifiers seems impossible and the Euskadi does not have any senior male fixtures lined up yet for 2021 due to coronavirus.
A less controversial route could be to provide opposition for teams staging training camps in the Basque Country prior to major international finals, a route that Catalonia pursued before the drive for political independence escalated. Given the quality of players making themselves available for the Euskadi, this could be the future – albeit not the one that the BFF wants.