'Speak Basque and you could be sent off'
A referee threatened to send off players if they spoke Basque during a match between Elgoibar and Idiazabal, according to reports in Spain.[1]
The fifth-tier game was in Gipuzkoa in the Basque country,[2] a region of northern Spain with its own language.
The region’s culture and sports deputy, Denis Itxaso, said “the attitude of this referee can’t be overlooked”.
“These type of episodes do nothing but create a lack of respect towards the language and heritage,” he added.
It is said the referee did not speak Basque and therefore did not want to miss players using insults.
Like Catalonia, the Basque country has a large degree of self-rule, its own language and cultural traditions.
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References
^ according to reports in Spain. (www.marca.com)
^ the Basque country, (www.bbc.co.uk)
^ Listen to the latest Euro Leagues Football Show podcast (www.bbc.co.uk)
BBC Sport – Football
'Speak Basque and you could be sent off' was originally published on 365 Football