Players were warned in a fifth-tier match in Spain that they could be sent off for speaking Basque.
The match in question was between Elgoibar and Idiazabal in the Gipuzkoa province, which is part of the autonomous Basque region. As relayed by Marca, Elgoibar coach Omar Aizpuru said after the game that match official Manuel Sarrion Gonzalez "threatened to expel" players who spoke in Basque during the encounter.
Denis Itxaso, who is the Culture and Sports Deputy, demanded an explanation from the authorities.
"Sport is a useful tool for the promotion of the Basque language," said Itxaso, per Marca.