Rufián stirs the territorial debate after the World Cup and reopens the battle for the Catalan and Basque national teams

Spain's second star has reopened the territorial debate. Gabriel Rufián has taken advantage of the World Cup celebrations to demand Catalan and Basque national teams, although this time he has also directed a warning towards those who insult or belittle citizens who support the Spanish team.

The ERC spokesperson in Congress maintains that thousands of people in Euskadi and Catalonia supported the national team due to the large presence of footballers from both territories. He also believes that some of these fans would prefer to follow their own national teams if they could compete officially.

"Thousands of people in Euskadi and Catalonia support the Spanish national team simply because it is full of Basques and Catalans and because they still cannot support the Basque and Catalan national teams," he wrote this Monday.

Rufián has admitted, at the same time, that this aspiration needs broader social support. In his opinion, remaining "eternally angry," insulting, pointing out, or belittling those who experience football differently hinders any progress in that regard.

"To win a country, you have to accept its diversity"

The message ends with a reflection that has provoked numerous reactions on social media. "To win a country, you have to understand and accept the diversity of that country," said the republican leader. He then issued a warning to sectors that understand identity as an exclusive reality. "Unless you want to be a tribe and not a country, of course," he added.

Rufián clarified that his words were not directed at those who were involved in some of the incidents that occurred during the World Cup. Specifically, he excluded from his reflection "the lunatic" who shouted the slogan 'A por ellos' (Go for them) and the one who hurled the insult 'Pedro Sánchez hijo de puta' (Pedro Sánchez son of a bitch) during the celebrations.

The publication seeks to distance itself from the most aggressive behaviors that appeared around the final. Before the match, peaceful mobilizations were held in different Basque towns to demand the official status of their national team, but a minority ended up carrying out attacks and altercations against Spain fans.

In Bilbao, several participants in a march tried to sabotage the screen installed in Doña Casilda park. Aggressions and incidents also occurred in Vitoria, San Sebastián, and other towns, facts that remain under police investigation.

Thousands of Basques also celebrated the victory

The Government delegate in the Basque Country, Marisol Garmendia, has highlighted that thousands of citizens followed and celebrated the World Cup normally. Her response has defended that being Basque and supporting Spain are perfectly compatible feelings.

Garmendia has contrasted that plural reality with the behavior of "radical and intolerant Basque nationalism" that tried to prevent the celebrations. The delegate has also recalled the weight that Basque footballers such as Nico Williams, Mikel Oyarzabal, Mikel Merino, or Unai Simón have had in the championship.

In Catalonia, the streets also hosted massive celebrations after Ferran Torres' goal. Towns like Mataró followed the tournament with special attention due to Lamine Yamal's prominence, while Barcelona celebrated the triumph until well into the early morning.

The very composition of the National Team has reinforced its identification with very different territories and social realities. The squad brings together players born or trained in Catalonia, Euskadi, Navarra, Andalusia, Madrid, Galicia, the Canary Islands, the Valencian Community, and other areas of the country.

Rufián had already highlighted during the championship the Catalan presence in the team and had publicly expressed his wish for Spain to win. His new message tries to fit that support with ERC's historical claim in favor of an official Catalan national team.

ERC brings the debate back to Congress

The spokesman's intervention coincides with a new parliamentary move by his party. ERC has asked this Monday that Congress unblock the reform of the Sports Law aimed at allowing an athlete to reject a call-up from Spain without being sanctioned.

The proposition was taken into consideration in December 2023 with the votes of PSOE, Sumar, and the nationalist and independentist groups. Since then, it has remained paralyzed, without the amendment phase necessary to continue its processing having been opened.

Deputy Etna Estrems has sent a letter to the Congress Bureau demanding a calendar. Republicans want to eliminate fines and possible license suspensions contemplated for those who refuse to attend an international call-up.

ERC argues that representing Spain should be a personal decision of each athlete. The party believes that no one should be forced to compete under symbols they do not feel are their own, a position that the Government has traditionally received with reservations.

Estrems has also registered questions about the international recognition of Catalan national teams. She asks the Executive to detail what actions it has taken and whether it considers the current model compatible with the national aspirations of a part of Catalan society.

The World Cup victory has thus given new impetus to a discussion that reappears every time Spain achieves great sporting success. The Congress Bureau must now decide whether to open the amendment period and allow ERC's reform to resume its parliamentary journey.