Ezker Anitza criticizes FIFA's tax exemptions as a "mockery"

The party questions the international body's demands for World Cup host cities and calls for transparency from institutions.

Close-up image of a microphone, suggesting a press conference or official announcement.
IA

Close-up image of a microphone, suggesting a press conference or official announcement.

Ezker Anitza has strongly criticized the FIFA's demands for tax exemptions for Bilbao and Donostia to become host cities for the 2030 World Cup.

Arantza González, general coordinator of Ezker Anitza, stated that it is "a mockery" for the highest international football body to demand tax exemptions to decide on host cities. The "fine print" mentioned by the lehendakari has also faced criticism, with a call for "transparency" from public institutions to understand the demands from the top international body.
González specified that they seem to be requesting total tax exemptions, public spaces, and public transport, but the exact details remain unclear, raising questions about the public cost of attracting major events to municipal coffers.
Xabier Jiménez, spokesperson for Elkarrekin Bilbao (a group to which Ezker Anitza belongs) in the City Council, also expressed concern. "In eight years, institutions have paid 40 million euros directly to bring events, and to this amount, we must add the indirectly invested money," he stressed. He reiterated the request to the Bilbao City Council to create a tool to evaluate the impact of major events.
To clarify these doubts, Elkarrekin Bilbao has submitted a request for a hearing for Kontxi Claver, councilor for Economic Development, Commerce, Tourism, and Employment, to provide explanations. "They have to give us an answer within a month," the councilor stated, lamenting the "lack of transparency" from public administrations.