Basque separatists express support for Russia during Bilbao’s match with Atlético

Athletic Bilbao’s clash with Atlético Madrid was not just a showcase of great defending by the visitors and missed chances by the home team. Basque separatists with flags of Russia and the Soviet Union appeared in the stands. As is well known, Russia financially supports some European separatist groups, and this is no exception.

In the ninth round of the Spanish LaLiga, Athletic Bilbao and Atlético Madrid played each other. Before the match, the teams were separated by one point and it was supposed to be a close match. The match was finally decided by Antoine Griezmann’s single goal in the second half, so his team took full points from Bilbao.

Basque separatists also showed up in the stands for the match, bringing with them slogans and flags in support of Russia and the Donetsk People’s Republic. It should be noted that this was not the first time this support has come from the Basques. Their government may have condemned the invasion of Ukraine, but that does not prevent them from supporting Russia.

The words “Politics does not belong in sport” have long since passed. Even Adolf Hitler used the Olympics for his political support. Now it is the Basques and Catalans who are extending support for Russia in Spain. Both separatist organisations have been supported by the aforementioned Russia for several years now, and are fighting back with their support.

Many people in the Basque Country, Catalonia and the whole of Spain have spoken out against this behaviour on social media. People living in these places are mainly talking about the fact that these groups do not represent the majority opinion. According to the aa.tr website, even 90% of Spaniards condemn the war in Ukraine and recognise that Russia is committing crimes against human rights.

Source: Visegrad24