Athletic Bilbao fans express support for Armenia ahead of Champions League clash with Qarabag

On October 22, in Bilbao, a match of the third round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League main stage took place, where Athletic Bilbao defeated Azerbaijani Qarabag 3–1. This victory earned the Basque club its first points in the current tournament.

However, attention to the game was drawn not only by the sporting outcome. On the eve of the match, Athletic fans organized an event in support of Armenia. A meeting was held at the Bira cultural center under the slogan “No to the whitewashing of the Azerbaijani regime”, organized by the supporters’ group Iñigo Cabacas Herri Harmaila (ICHН) and the internationalist organization Askapena.

Speakers discussed the roots of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, mentioned Monte Melkonian, condemned the use of sports for propaganda purposes, and expressed solidarity with the people of Artsakh.

On banners written in Basque, participants protested against Baku’s policies and emphasized their support for Armenia:

• “THE BASQUE COUNTRY STANDS WITH ARMENIA — WHETHER IT’S APRIL 24 OR OCTOBER 22”

• “AGAINST ULTRANATIONALISM. Bilbao says NO to Azerbaijani ultranationalism. LONG LIVE FREE KARABAKH!”

• “STOP ETHNIC CLEANSING. FREEDOM FOR KARABAKH”

Thus, the Athletic vs Qarabag match became not only a significant sporting event for the club’s history but also an occasion for its fans to express their civic stance.

Source: 301.