Whistles at San Mamés: World Cup presentation by Simon, Laporte and Williams sparks controversy

Whistles disrupted the presentation of the 2026 World Cup at San Mamés on Saturday, as Unai Simon, Aymeric Laporte and Nico Williams held aloft the trophy before 53,289 spectators ahead of the La Liga match against Seville — which Athletic ultimately lost 1-3.

The three Spanish internationals were applauded by sections of the Basque crowd, but the whistles heard in the stands immediately sparked outrage in Spain, particularly on social media. “It’s not shameful, it’s more than shameful. Whistling at a World Cup when your players fought to win it, with their country’s national team, that only happens here, in Bilbao. Thank goodness there were more applause than whistles,” wrote one Athletic supporter on X.

The reaction is all the more striking given that the three players played a central role in Spain’s triumph on July 19, secured against Argentina (1-0 after extra time). Simon was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper, notably excelling in the semi-final against France (2-0). Laporte was one of the defensive pillars of La Selección throughout the competition. As for Nico Williams, the Roja’s offensive revelation since Euro 2024, he provided the assist for Ferran Torres’ goal, the winning one.

The scene illustrates a tension inherent to Athletic Club’s identity: the Bilbao club, one of three founders of the Primera División in 1929 alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona and never relegated, fields exclusively players native to or from the Basque Country and its surroundings. A philosophy praised in modern football, but one that maintains a complex relationship with the Spanish national team among part of its fanbase.