Iñaki Williams led the players’ rebellion about playing the Super Cup between January 7 and 11, 5,000 kilometers from … distance. “For me, playing in Arabia is shit, speaking badly,” he said without biting his tongue. The Athletic captain appealed to the fans as an argument. «Having to take a national competition to another country does not make travel easier for fans. Due to social mass it seems that we play away from home, and if it were in Spain we know all the athletics that would accompany us,” he assured.
Ernesto Valverde soon came out to reduce a controversy that came at a bad time for the club, with the president, Jon Uriarte, negotiating with the Federation to increase the fixed amount of two million euros, as EL CORREO revealed.
“Regardless of whether we like the format more or less, perhaps it was not very accurate in the expression,” he said. «It is true that these days he is with the birth of his son and having to go away can be more or less disruptive. But we must be careful with the expressions we use. For us, going to Arabia means prestige, the opportunity to win a title and our club is getting paid to go there,” he added.
Iñaki Williams explained in Jeddah the role his coach played in the organized crisis. Asked by EL CORREO, the Athletic captain explained that Valverde spoke with him before appearing before the media. «Maybe the word (shit) was not the right one and the coach in the end has more experience in this. He spoke to me before going to press and told me that he was going to try to make light of the matter and that is what happened. Maybe the words weren’t the right ones, but I don’t regret it. “I try to seek the benefit of the club and above all of our fans.”
The Athletic captain insisted on reducing the tension without backing down. «Seen what we have seen, being natural and saying things as you think, because in the end many times you have to be a little more careful. Yes, it is true that maybe the word I used was not appropriate, but it is true that it is still a chore for everyone, especially for our athletics. When I have to speak, many times I can make mistakes because I try to be honest, but it is true that the ways were not appropriate, but it is a chore for all of us.
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