Athletic Club President, Fernando Lamikiz, today resigned his post, after a poor start to the season and fans protesting after the 4-1 home defeat to Atletico Madrid two weeks ago.
Lamikiz will be replaced by Ana Urkijo, who will become the first female president of the club.
At the end of the 2003/04 season, when Athletic finished fifth in La Liga, Lamikiz won the election for the top job, but has increasingly become an unpopular figure with supporters. For many, the last straw was the sacking of Javier Clemente last season, when Athletic saved themselves from relegation with only two games to go.
Photo courtesy of www.eitb24.com
Murillo
Aduriz
Athletic won a hard-earned point in a bad tempered game tonight, in a 0-0 draw with Getafe.
Murillo and Aduriz were both shown red cards, which will rule them out of next Sunday's clash with Barcelona at La Catedral.
Atletico Madrid demolished Athletic tonight, putting four goals past Aranzubia, and inflicting another defeat which leaves Bilbao second-bottom of the league.
Maxi (18th), and Petrov (36th) put Atletico 2-0 up at half-time. Aguerro made it 3-0 in the 64th, before Javi Martinez scored a consolation in the 84th. However, a Galletti penalty in the 89th finished off a miserable night for Los Leones.
Athletic were well-beaten tonight, by a strong Betis side.
Goals from Juanito 18th, Edu 39th and Capi in the 82nd, ensured that the rojiblanco returned north empty-handed.
Athletic had to settle for one point in the opening game of season 2006/07 . Having led 1-0 from a 38th minute Aduriz penalty, the Lions lost a goal with three minutes to go, Aranburu scoring for Txuri Urdin.
In keeping with tradition, a Thanksgiving Mass was held on Monday 14th August, in memory of all members of the Athletic family throughout the world, who passed away during the previous year.
The mass was held in the Basilica of Begona.
Athletic continued their preparations for the 2006/07 season, with wins over Essen and Ijsselmeervogels in Germany, and Everton in Liverpool, after losing to hosts Cologne 1-0 on 3rd August in the triangular tournament wih Middlesbrough.
August 6th 1-0 Rot Weiss Essen (Yeste, 13th)
August 8th 3-0 Ijsselmeervogels (Alex Garcia 22,62, Benat 81st)
August 12th 1-0 Everton (Aduriz 16th)
