Jon Uriarte Uranga yesterday became the thirty -third president in Athletic history. The businessman and entrepreneur from Bilbao defeated Iñaki Arechabaleta and Ricardo Barkala in the polls. The youngest candidate of the three to attend the election in rojiblanco, who had just turned 44 years old, returned to make good the tradition that, incidentally, Aitor Elizegi, his predecessor in office, took it upon himself to destroy three and half a year ago.
This time yes, this time, the winner of the so-called ‘primary’ in Bilbao (the presentation of signatures to endorse the candidacy of the candidates for the Ibaigane seat) was also declared the winner of the polls. 40,257 members had the right to vote and 22,689 used it, representing 56.36% participation. Uriarte added 10,979 votes (46.71%), Iñaki Arechabaleta 7,927 (33.72%) and Ricardo Barkala 4,262 (18.13%).
The intense election day within Athletic changed the scenario this time around. The new San Mamés arrived to replace the Ibaigane Palace itself. The organization of those responsible for the Bilbao club is limited in perfection both for Atletico members and fans as well as for parts of the three candidates and the media itself.
Members of the rojiblancos voted for the last time on December 27, 2018. That night Elizegi defeated Uribe-Echevarría with 9,264 votes (47.90%) and Uribe-Echevarría 9,179 (47.46%). At that time, 41,354 colleagues had the right to go to the polls and 19,060 exercised their right, which means a 46% turnout, a percentage somewhat different from the 62% who took part in the election in July 2011, when Urrutia defeated García Macua.
Fresh air
The declaration of the intentions of the new Athletic leader was evident from the very beginning of his campaign. His disruption in the electoral arena coincided with the final whistle of last season’s game between the Lions and Sevilla in Pizjuán. “I have a personal and professional life with a lot of projects and if my team and I are taking this step, it’s because of a sense of responsibility, because we see that Athletic, with a very strong foundation, is experiencing negative inertia that threatens the institution and we think it needs to change, that it needs fresh air ”.
Uriarte didn’t have much time to collect the signatures that would prove his candidacy, but nonetheless, with an original virtual accountant, he gained supporters until he clearly surpassed both Arechabaleta and Barkala. The first ‘surprise’ of these red and white elections was not so much yesterday because, according to previous days, it seemed clear that this group had solid underlying options to emerge the winner in the polls.
Even with the toll paid as a result of the Carlos Aviña affair, his bet for managing the club’s soccer, including the women’s section, hit the level of followers. In fact, Uriarte attended these elections yesterday without presenting any professional in the said position. A fact that clearly speaks to the confidence that rojiblancos partners have in their ability to maneuver. Your message has been retrieved.
Athletic, in a nutshell, experienced intense election day yesterday. The rojiblancas family expressed their preferences in choosing Elizegi’s successor. Uriarte is already president, but, as is often said in the football world, the hard doesn’t come, but stay. He has four years to manage in his particular style.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
