A war-of-words has broken out in the Basque government over the redevelopment of Athletic Bilbao's San Mames stadium.
Inigo Urkullu, president of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), has agreed to part-finance the construction of a new San Mames, along with the club, the provincial council and Kutxabank, but Basque president, and leader of the PSE-EE party, Patxi Lopez, believes Athletic should up their economic percentage after receiving €40m from the sale of Javi Martinez to Bayern Munich.
The Basque government, provincial council and Kutxabank are scheduled to each pay €55m towards the €218m construction cost, with the club propping up €42m and the remaining €11m covered in value on the current land, and Urkullu believes the original agreement is fair for all parties.
“It is a working agreement,” he told Radio Popular. “That deserves to stay working. Each party has fulfilled its commitment. The rebuilding of San Mames will energize the Basque economy. Athletic should use that €40m on their grassroots or sustainability.”
Lopez meanwhile, believes Los Leones should stump up more money, telling Radio Euskadi: “I think the Athletic should be involved much more in the new San Mames.”
