Referee threatens to send off players who speak Basque Football Local Deputy of Sports condemns attitude

During a match between Elgoibar and Idiazabal, the referee supposedly threatened to send off players if they spoke Basque on the field.

Gipuzkoa is a Province in Northern Spain, more commonly known as the Basque Country, and it's here that that the game took place.

The Culture and Sports Deputy, Denis Itxaso, has since requested an explanation from the federal authorities.

Elgoibar coach, Omar Aizpuru, announced on social networks that the referee "threatened to expel" the players who spoke in the tongue native to the region.

A report from the council however, has stated no further action will be taken against the official.

"Sport is a useful tool for the promotion of the Basque language," said Itxaso.

"These type of episodes do nothing but create a lack of respect towards the language and heritage.

"Basque is an official language and the attitude of this referee can't be overlooked.

"Otherwise, we would be normalising a belief and attitude which should be condemned."