Spanish soccer is once again opening up a thorny debate. This time, it's not about a failed signing or a controversial refereeing decision. The issue has to do with the conditions Athletic de Bilbao has imposed in the loan of one of its players.
The protagonists are goalkeepers Julen Agirrezabala and Stole Dimitrievski. Both have arrived at Valencia this summer. However, not under equal conditions, and it remains to be seen whether AFE will intervene as they wanted to do at the time with Nico Williams.
The problem isn't sporting, but contractual. According to MB, Athletic included in the loan agreement for Agirrezabala a clause that obligates Valencia to line him up. Otherwise, it will have to face financial penalties.
This situation has created a real earthquake, both in the Valencia locker room and in La Liga itself.
Dimitrievski feels like a victim
The Macedonian goalkeeper has spoken out. Dimitrievski, who came to Valencia convinced he would compete on equal terms, believes he's being made a victim of an unfair situation.
His teammate in goal, also affected by the clause, has his starting spot practically guaranteed by contract.
The former Rayo Vallecano player believes Athletic has gone too far and that these kinds of maneuvers seriously alter the competition. It's not the same to earn your place on the field as it is to do so thanks to a document signed between clubs.
Given this scenario, Dimitrievski has already asked Valencia to let him leave as soon as possible, convinced that under these conditions it's impossible to develop his career normally.
A very different Athletic from the one that criticized Barça
The controversy has grown because Athletic has been one of the clubs that caused the most media noise this summer with Nico Williams's contract renewal. From Bilbao, they insisted on pointing out the alleged dirty tricks of FC Barcelona in its attempt to sign the winger.
The message was clear: Athletic presented itself as a victim of the big clubs, a respectful club that wouldn't let itself be bullied.
However, now the situation seems to have taken a turn. The same club that demanded respect for its footballers has become the one imposing abusive conditions on a third party. In Valencia, people are already talking about the competition being tainted and a dangerous precedent for the future of La Liga.
Altering the competition
Having a goalkeeper start because of a clause and not because of performance opens up a debate that goes beyond sports. Athletic is indirectly deciding who should play for another team, conditioning decisions that should belong solely to the coach.
Dimitrievski's case has revealed a dark side of the Bilbao club. The penalty clauses not only jeopardize equality among footballers, but they can also affect the credibility of La Liga itself.
Athletic wanted to protect itself, but it has ended up creating a storm that calls the purity of the championship into question.