Athletic Bilbao president Jon Uriarte has criticised the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for not “protecting” Nico Williams from an “uncontrolled and unreasonable” amount of questions about his club future during the European Championship.
Williams, 21, has enjoyed an impressive Euro 2024, starting five of Spain’s six matches and providing a goal and an assist during his side’s run to the final.
The winger signed a three-year contract extension last December with Athletic to keep him at the club until 2027, but The Athletic reported Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea all hold an interest in him.
He has often faced media questions about his club future during the tournament, and Uriarte stated the RFEF should have done more to shelter him from this while insisting the club has no intention of selling him.
“Nico, a footballer who is very committed to Athletic Club, has been subjected to a bombardment of questions about his future in an excessive and uncontrolled manner, when he is concentrated to play in the European Championship by the Spanish Football Federation, which has not known how to protect him,” Uriate said.
“Athletic Club is financially, socially and sportingly capable of keeping players of the calibre of those mentioned, including Nico Williams, in its structure.”
When approached for comment by The Athletic, an RFEF spokesperson said: “RFEF has treated Nico Williams in the same way we have treated the other 25 players who travelled to Germany. The impact that any of his words might have had is totally related to his performances and the great level he’s shown, and not to RFEF treating him differently.”
Williams was named player of the match after Spain’s 1-0 victory over Italy in the group stages and was subsequently asked about his future — a line of questioning he called “very weird”.
“I just extended my contract at Athletic not long ago, I am very comfortable there. Very happy,” he told Spanish broadcaster TVE.
“I have just signed a new deal, it feels very weird that you ask me about my future.”
The Athletic reported as part of his new deal, Williams’ salary upgraded to reflect his progress from an academy graduate to his new status within the squad, but his release clause remained almost untouched. Athletic refuse to comment on any figures, but industry sources say Williams’ release clause is in the region of €55million ($59m; £47m).
(Michael Regan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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