For those who do not know, the Haussmann Plan is an urban action proposed and executed by the architect of the same name for the reorganization of the city of Paris between 1850 and 1870. The main objective was to “clean” the city, ventilate it in some way to cope with the diseases of the time. For this purpose, large and direct boulevards were proposed, projecting spacious, “comfortable”, “pleasant” spaces… but this plan also had its “side B”. All of this was only the first step towards putting the city for the benefit of capitalism. The construction of these Boulevard meant the demolition of thousands of houses, the deformation and destruction of the neighborhoods, the expulsion of the population, the militarization of the space, the pacification of the revolts of the time (in these large and large streets could hardly be made barricades), social control, the increase in the prices of the houses and plots… We can think that this process is expired, but as it is seen, this capitalist vision. The process that takes place in football stadiums can be related to the elite or gentrification that takes place in some cities.

The sport created by the working class, it can be said that today it is on the opposite side, at least professional football. As has happened in the city, the popular and workers’ sectors have gradually moved away from the stadiums under the excuse of the modernisation of sport. Our aitites initially occupied the first “General” (this was called at least the popular grade of San Mamés), then moved their children to the funds and today they can barely see behind the goal or at some corner of the stadium. Logically, stadiums, like cities, must guarantee safety and comfort, perform works and adjust spaces. The problem is that when used as an excuse to dismiss the “inhabitants” who are their own. The historic centers of the city, the ancient parts, are emptying themselves with amazing speed. What has historically been spaces of struggle or tension, have become spaces for tourists and millionaires, the result of processes of “rehabilitation” that seek to leave only the “theatrical play” of what they were. The same is true of our stands, which are gradually being vacated by demanding prices and legislation and which have been discarded. It has become usual to use football teams as companies with the aim of increasing the brand of the city. The aim of this initiative is to launch the city into the market to attract tourists and companies from outside of global competition. Surely the most significant examples of the area would be FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF or PSG. It is normal to find deals where they offer guided city tours for money, experiences for companies, VIP areas to make contacts and business, museum entrance, party entry, bonuses to buy official merchandising in the store… a total experience related to the city. Even if it seems strange, how long will it take between us Pintxos in Old Town and football experience in Reale Arena or Enjoy San Mamés Basque Arena and ‘poteo’ in Pozas Street (we all know in English that everything is better) to integrate it into the usual landscape? They will empty the stands and place in the same groups of fake cheerleader/animation, soulless, who will “cheer” the team according to the instructions of the club addresses, without any kind of claim, that are not annoying. Isn't the process the way it's happening in our cities? Prepare a play, silence social conflicts, keep the streets clean with banners and paintings… in short, do not paralyze the wheel of capitalism, with the excuse of normality and modernity, leaving our streets and stands without soul and without personality.

If you bring home, how nice is Bilbao? What kind of stadium have you built (under what conditions?) Isn't it? But for whom? Let's not fool ourselves, we'll never be masters or participants in these spaces. Enjoy in some way, walk through Abandoibarra everything you want, beautify your spectacular buildings, pay them, go to the stadium at any time... But don't worry about space, don't worry about sitting in the fields and eating a few bowls or taking something with your friends. By chance or not, its fascinating buildings are a reflection of the powerful city (Iberdrola, University of Deusto, Hotel Melia, multinationals of Zubiarte...), “enjoy” the environment, but you will never be part of it, you will be remembered again and again from those landscaped altars specially designed for their buildings. Isn't the same for San Mamés? By chance or not, the preferences of the old field have disappeared and now all the stands seem to be stands, we have also appeared VIP palcos (who occupy them? Are they related to the modern buildings we've mentioned? )… Has the stadium not been renewed under the pretext of security and modernity, in an operation intended to strengthen the brand Athletic and Bilbao? Where is the fervent and rebellious youth in the background? He hardly has a presence in the new field... Finally the city and the stadium are in front of each other. What is the difference between Gran Vía de Bilbao and Madrid? You'll find similar multinational stores, bars decorated in the same way, maybe the tiles or the slabs are different -- and it matches it with our field. Are they not similar copies of the current Emirates stadium, Metropolitan Wanda, Bayern Arena, Wembley stadium, San Mamés…? People and immateriality make, to a large extent, different these spaces projected by capitalism, but the barrier between them diffuses when we go from being active agents to being mere agents of consumption.

Class struggle crosses all layers of society. Of course, there are also popular sectors and workers in these spaces, but they are annoying for the cities and football teams that are under the influence of the capital, either in the stadium or in the street, in football or in urbanism.

“They have also robbed us of football…” one said, “they have robbed us of the city…” we could add by following the comparison, do we leave them? And meanwhile there are/are the last romantics, the last resistance, the public space, that we don't want to say goodbye to the city and the stadium. So, before it is late, let us recover the streets and the stands that correspond to us!