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INPRIMATU
Debate on the official selection in the Basque ball, with the Spanish federation against
  • The International Federation of Basque Ball will hold an assembly, after exposing its willingness to analyse for the first time the change of status of the Basque pelotaris. The Spanish Football Federation has stated its intention to "insult" it and added that it would imply "recognizing the nationalistic character".
Irati Irazusta Jauregi 2023ko apirilaren 14a
2022ko urrian pilota klub eta erakundeetako ordezkariek Euskal Herriko selekzioaren ofizialtasuna aldarrikatu zuten, Durangon. (Argazkia: Anboto)

The International Federation of Basque Ball (FIPV) will hold an Extraordinary General Assembly which will discuss the official status of the Basque selection and the change of status of the Basque pelotaris. For the first time, the Basque team FIPV has been willing to enter the organization and will be held in Mexico within three months.

If the votes in favour of the Basque team reach 66%, the pelotaris of Navarra, Baja Navarra, Bizkaia, Lapurdi, Araba, Zuberoa and Gipuzkoa will be able to participate in the world ball championship to be held in Argentina in 2026.

The Spanish Football Federation has shown its opposition to change in a statement signed by the president of the federation, Julián García Angulo. It points out that this decision runs counter to the model that has so far been successful and harmonious in the development and practice of ball modalities.

National intention

The statement states that FIPV has a sporting character and that it is not its competence to engage in the "policy of sovereign states". "The recognition of the Basque Football Federation would mean giving a status similar to that of 33 other national federations, to which its nationalistic character and intention should be acknowledged". The Spanish Federation of Ball has described as "insult" its intention to formalize the Basque selection.

He adds that, according to article 10, the integration of the Basque Football Federation requires the official recognition of the Government of Spain and, supposedly, of the relevant Olympic Committee or other relevant bodies.

In October 2022, at the gates of the World Ball Championships held in Biarritz, representatives of clubs and ball entities who claimed the official status of the Basque Country team. They addressed, inter alia, the World Ball Council and the Basque football federations to request the officialization of the Basque Football Federation.

In November 2022, the Spanish Congress of Deputies amended the new Sport Law. The new law allows the creation of autonomous sports selections, and integration must be accepted internally by the International Federation.