Athletic (foto: Getty Images)
Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart alleges La Liga saved Athletic Bilbao from relegation in 2006/07, fueling controversy amid protests over Dani Olmo’s registration for Barcelona.
Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart, who led the club from 2000 to 2003 and previously served as vice-president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has made explosive allegations, claiming La Liga orchestrated a scheme to prevent Athletic Bilbao from relegation nearly two decades ago.
"Several years ago, Athletic Bilbao was heading for the second division, but they didn’t go down," Gaspart said in an interview with the podcast Sólo para culés. He added cryptically, "What happened back then, I will take to my grave."
While offering no concrete evidence, Gaspart hinted heavily at manipulation, sarcastically stating, "Oh, nothing happened; it was a miracle. Athletic won all their matches in the final rounds."
Dani Olmo case adds fuel to the fire
Gaspart’s comments come amid ongoing protests from La Liga clubs, including Athletic Bilbao, against the Spanish Sports Council’s (CSD) decision to allow Barcelona to temporarily register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor despite unresolved financial compliance issues. The decision has sparked outrage among Barcelona’s rivals, including Athletic, which recently lost to the Catalans in the Spanish Super Cup semifinals in Saudi Arabia.
Gaspart’s claims and Athletic’s 2006/07 season
Gaspart’s insinuations point to the 2006/07 season, when Athletic Bilbao narrowly avoided relegation by finishing 17th with 40 points—just one point above the relegation zone. Clubs like Nàstic de Tarragona, Real Sociedad, and Celta de Vigo were relegated that season.
Athletic Bilbao, a bastion of Basque football and the fourth most successful Spanish club with eight league titles, has never been relegated from La Liga since its inception in 1929. Alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona, they are one of only three clubs to maintain their top-flight status.
Wider implications for Spanish football
Gaspart’s claims, though lacking details, shed light on the deep-seated rivalries and power dynamics within Spanish football. His comments, paired with the ongoing Dani Olmo registration saga, underscore the intense competition and political undertones in La Liga’s administration.