Players and technicians, with Gurpegi

In relation to the two-year sanction imposed on our teammate Carlos Gurpegi by the Spanish Committee for Sports Discipline (CEDD), Athletic Club’s staff would like to transmit to public opinion, and most especially to associates and members of our entity, the following communiqué:

1. We consider that the sentence emitted this week by the CEDD infringes on Carlos Gurpegi’s right to defence, and that an evident injustice, and disproportion of such, exists.

2. We would like to reiterate our absolute conviction in the innocence of Carlos Gurpegi, offering him again, and until the end of this process, the constant and unyielding support of all Athletic Club staff.

3. That we reiterate, as professionals of the first red-and-white team, our total confidence in the medical services of Athletic Club and in Doctor Sabino Padilla, as the person in charge of said services.

4. We are certain that the steps to be taken by our teammate Carlos Gurpegi from this moment on, will ultimately clarify that neither the club, nor the player, nor the medical services, have incurred any negligence.

5. That we forcefully reproach the very serious accusations that have these days poured in from specific forums, displaying very little accuracy and maximum boldness, with regard to the player, to our medical services and to the institution itself.

Finally, Athletic Club’s staff wishes to publicly declare its affection toward Carlos Gurpegi, a teammate who is showing us an integrity and professionalism that is highly commendable, more so in these difficult moments, that turn out to be as hard for him and his family, as for those of us that form part of this collective.

The first team squad and technical body