Uriarte: "I'm quite critical of the national team issue"

Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte criticised international football's rules, saying clubs pay players' salaries but have no say in their national team commitments and risk injuries without compensation.

At Athletic Club's general assembly, president Jon Uriarte voiced frustration over international football regulations. A member had raised concerns about Nico Williams' pubic bone injury and his participation in the World Cup, questioning whether he should have gone.

Uriarte said he finds the system "quite unfair". Clubs pay players' salaries but have no power to prevent them being called up by national teams during international windows. He highlighted the added problem that players can return injured with no compensation unless the injury is long-term or occurs during a World Cup, when clubs receive payment for the days the player was absent.

However, Uriarte acknowledged clubs have limited options: "We cannot refuse to send a player to any national team." Players can theoretically resist selection but risk sanctions, though they can pressure their federation not to be called up.