Athletic Bilbao, Iñaki Williams pulls no punches: “Playing in Saudi Arabia is shit”
Athletic Bilbao are bracing themselves for a hectic start to January. After the league resumes on Saturday at El Sadar against Osasuna, the Lions will fly to Saudi Arabia on Monday 5 January for the Spanish Super Cup. The semi-final will see the Basques face Barcelona on 7 January, with the winners set to meet either Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid in the final.
During an open training session at San Mamés, attended by a record crowd of 30,051, captain Iñaki Williams made his feelings about the competition’s format abundantly clear. Quoted by Spanish media, he did not hold back:
“I’ve said it many times and I won’t bite my tongue: for me playing in Saudi Arabia is shit, to put it plainly. Moving a national competition to another country isn’t fair on the fans, who are almost prevented from travelling. Given our fanbase, we’ll end up playing as if it were an away game, whereas if it were held here we know exactly how many Athleticzales would follow us.”
Beyond the logistical criticism, Williams also struck a deeply personal note, referring to his imminent fatherhood.
“I’m going to become a father in the next few days. Having to leave, with my wife and child staying here, is a huge blow, but it’s part of the job,” added the number nine. “Obviously I remain available to the club and I’ll try to give everything to win the Super Cup, but on a human level it’s a very difficult situation.”
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