Official statement: zero tolerance towards violence

Athletic Club, as stated in the official statement released on Thursday 26 September 2024, reaffirms its absolute commitment to the eradication of any kind of violent, racist, xenophobic or intolerant behaviour in football. Once again, we reiterate our pledge to fostering a safe and respectful environment, both at San Mamés and at any other ground, taking determined action to ensure that incidents such as that which occurred in Rome are not repeated.

Athletic fans are an example of sportsmanship, co-existence, civility and respect, all values that Athletic Club stands for and defends. These attitudes, demonstrated once again in Rome by 2,600 supporters, form part of the DNA of our institution, and cannot be tarnished by the behaviour of a dozen or so individuals who do not represent us. In football, as in life, values are demonstrated with actions and those who launch flares at crowds, at the pitch or at journalists, or cooperate or collaborate with those who do so, do not belong at Athletic Club.

Athletic Club is its fans. And our fans have made it clear that they reject any violent behaviour that is contrary to the values of our club. 

Athletic Club, in collaboration with the competent authorities, is conducting the necessary investigations to identify the people who were involved in the violent acts that took place during the match in Rome and will ensure that the appropriate sanctions are applied. Listed below are the specific measures Athletic Club will apply to the perpetrators of such acts, as well as to those involved in any other similar incidents or those exhibiting behaviour of a racist, xenophobic or intolerant nature:

1) In cases in which the people identified as perpetrators of these types of acts are Club Members, Athletioc Club will provide the Disciplinary Commission with the information gathered for the application of sanctions established in the Statutes. Information will also be provided about the Club Members who, where applicable, have collaborated with the individuals identified, for example, by providing tickets to access AS Roma's stadium. 

2) In view of the seriousness of the events that occurred and in order to prevent the risk of further behaviour of this kind, the Club will immediately:

a) prevent access to the San Mamés stadium and the Lezama training facilities to the perpetrators of these incidents who do not have the status of Club Members for a minimum period of five years, which may be longer - even for life - depending on the seriousness of the acts committed; and

b) will prohibit the sale and purchase of tickets for matches held outside Athletic Club's facilities to the perpetrators of these acts, whether they are Club Members or not, for the same minimum period of five years, which may be longer - even for life - depending on the seriousness of the acts committed.

3) In the event that the individuals responsible fail to comply with or evade the application of the measures referred to in paragraph 2), these measures shall be automatically extended for the same periods of time. 

4) Those who co-operate with the individuals responsible in the latter's breach or circumvention of the measures (e.g. by providing a ticket or a membership card to gain access to a match) will also be liable for this and will be subject to the same measures (ban on entering grounds and purchasing tickets) that they helped to circumvent for the same period of time.

5) Athletic Club will seek compensation from the perpetrators involved in such incidents for any economic penalties incurred by the Club due to their actions (e.g. sanctions imposed on the Club, as well as any other fines and damages). 

Athletic Club repeats its commitment to showing zero tolerance towards any type of violence, and will continue to work with the authorities to ensure that our stands and the away-fan stands where we go to support the team are an example of co-existence, respect and sportsmanship.

 

*In the case of discrepancies between this English version of these rules and applicable measures compared to the Spanish or Basque versions, the Spanish and Basque versions will always prevail.