Athletic mourn president
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Article summary
Javier Uria, the president of Spanish side Athletic Club Bilbao, has died at the age of 41 of throat cancer.
Article body
Elected president
Uria, who had fought an 18-month battle against the illness, leaves a wife and three children. The Basque businessman had been in charge of the San Mamés club for two years. He was elected president in June 2001, having served under the leadership of his predecessor, José María Arrate, between 1994 and 98.
'A big loss'
Spanish Football Federation president Angel María Villar responded to the news of Uria's untimely death, saying: "He was a great man and a great president. His passing is a big loss to Spanish football."
'We're devastated'
Meanwhile, Athletic players were quick to pay their tributes. Goalkeeper Iñaki Lafuente said: "I will always remember Uria as a responsible and sensitive person. He always backed us up and I only have words of appreciation for him." Team-mate Roberto Ríos added: "We are all devastated."
Famous club
Uria had been a member of Athletic, one of Spain's most famous clubs, since 1980. It is yet to be decided which of the Athletic vice-presidents - José Ramón Odriozola, Carmelo Canales and Ignacio Ugartetxe - will take over the running of the club for the remaining two years of Uria's presidency.
Power vacuum
Uria's death follows coach Jupp Heynckes' announcement on Tuesday that he will leave the club at the end of the season to join German side FC Schalke 04.
