A public screening of the World Cup final in Bilbao was disrupted by masked protesters. The PP's Esther Martínez criticized both the PNV and radical groups. Police intervened and identified 17 suspects.
Security concerns escalated in Bilbao after a group of masked protesters attempted to halt a public screening of the Spain-Argentina World Cup final, organized by the Partido Popular (PP) in the Doña Casilda park. The incident, which unfolded just 40 minutes before kickoff, saw individuals throwing objects, tearing down barriers, and damaging the event's technical setup. The Ertzaintza responded quickly, identifying 17 people, including one under investigation for threats involving a knife and for throwing objects.
Esther Martínez, secretary general of the PP in the Basque Country and spokesperson in Bilbao's city council, defended the actions of attendees who resisted the disruption. Speaking on the program En Casa de Herrero on esRadio, Martínez argued that standing firm against such acts was essential to protect public freedoms. She emphasized that the event was about defending the right of Bilbao residents to gather and support their national team, a right she said had been challenged both by radical groups and by the PNV, which had opposed the installation of the giant screen for weeks.
According to Martínez, the attackers targeted the screen directly, approaching from behind and attempting to sabotage the event before police arrived. She credited the crowd with holding off the disruption until authorities intervened, insisting that the attempt to spoil the celebration ultimately failed. Martínez also challenged the PNV's claim that there was no demand for such a public screening, pointing to the 10,000 people who filled the park as evidence of strong local interest.
During the interview, Martínez described her decision to confront the protesters directly, a moment captured in videos widely shared on social media. She noted the presence of families, children, and elderly attendees, stating that she felt a responsibility to ensure their safety and comfort. Martínez framed her actions as representing the broader community of Bilbao, which she described as pluralistic and open, in contrast to what she characterized as the narrow vision of nationalist leaders.
The PP leader also highlighted the passion for both Athletic Club and the Spanish national team in Bilbao, lamenting that some groups seek to restrict expressions of support to only what they approve. She confirmed that the PP would file a formal complaint after a party member, Gonzalo Fernández, was struck with a stick during the unrest. Martínez reported additional incidents of intimidation elsewhere in the city, including her own son and his friends being harassed for wearing Spanish team shirts on their way to the event.
Martínez expressed gratitude for the intervention of the Ertzaintza and local police, crediting their actions with preventing further escalation. However, she maintained that the PNV bore political responsibility for the tense atmosphere surrounding the final, arguing that persistent opposition to the event contributed to the unrest. She concluded that no concessions should be made to what she described as sectarian and fanatical elements.
This incident in Bilbao comes amid broader debates about public order and political expression in Spain. Recent months have seen heightened tensions at public events, with authorities and political parties facing scrutiny over their responses. In a related context, the importance of local leadership and community engagement was highlighted in another recent story, where Real Zaragoza's management announced new initiatives to strengthen club identity and youth involvement, as detailed in this report on Real Zaragoza's long-term project.
Public gatherings around major sporting events often serve as flashpoints for broader social and political tensions in Spain. The events in Bilbao underscore ongoing challenges in balancing security, freedom of assembly, and political pluralism, particularly in regions with strong local identities and histories of political conflict. The response of law enforcement and the political debate that follows will likely shape future approaches to public events in the Basque Country and beyond.
