Spain contests Basque Country's international recognition in pelota vasca

In June 2025, a political controversy arose when the Basque Country competed internationally in pelota vasca, a sport traditionally popular in the region. The Spanish sports federation opposed the Basque team's recognition by the international federation, arguing that the changes to the bylaws allowing the Basques to participate were illegal. This sparked significant tension between sports officials and politicians in Spain, leading to complaints of a lack of government support and desertions from traditional national sports identity. In response to the escalating dispute, Spain sought intervention from the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The situation came to a head when the Basque Country faced Spain in the pelota vasca Nations League, which many had deemed improbable just months prior. Politicians in the Basque Country hailed this event as a historic achievement, emphasizing its implications for national visibility and identity. Meanwhile, the Spanish federation maintained that it participated in the competition out of concern for athletes involved, despite deeming the event unofficial due to necessary approvals being unmet from Spanish authorities. The involvement of the international body in allowing the Basque team further complicates the landscape of national sport representation in Spain. Politicians in the Basque Country viewed this recognition as an essential step towards gaining further recognition as a distinct national identity.