What are Athletic Bilbao's team eligibility rules?

"Athletic, based in the Spanish city of Bilbao, are renowned for their policy of promoting young Basque players through their academy, known as the Cantera policy. In place since 1912, the policy only applies to players, with members of the club's staff being permitted to be employed without being from or linked to the Basque Country. This policy is also adhered to by the club's women's team."

"Athletic Bilbao have an unusual club tradition: only signing and fielding players from the Basque Country - a region covering part of Spain and France. The policy was also used by arch-rivals Real Sociedad until 1989, ending only with the signing Republic of Ireland striker John Aldridge. Of Athletic's senior squad, just three players are not listed as representing Spain internationally. Inaki Williams (Ghana), Maroan Sannadi (Morocco) and Alex Padilla (Mexico) were all born in the Basque country."

Athletic Bilbao maintains a long-standing policy of recruiting and fielding only players who are from or trained in the Basque Country, emphasizing youth development through its Cantera academy. The rule dates back to 1912 and applies strictly to playing personnel, while coaching and administrative staff may be non-Basque. The club's official definition includes players born in Basque territories or those developed at Basque academies. The women's team follows the same policy. Real Sociedad previously observed a similar restriction until 1989 when it signed John Aldridge. Three senior players represent other national teams despite Basque birth.

Read at www.bbc.com