O Atlético de Madrid was sanctioned with the partial closure of the stands at his stadium in two Spanish championship games due to racist insults directed at Athletic Bilbao player Nico Williams, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced this Tuesday.
During the 33rd round of LaLiga, in which Athletic lost 3-1 at the Metropolitano stadium on Saturday, the Spanish player heard imitation monkey sounds directed at him.
Due to this incident, Atlético received “a sanction of partial closure of the sports venue for a period of two games and a monetary sanction of 20,000 euros (around R$111,000 at current prices)”, detailed the RFEF Competition Committee in a communicated.
✊🏿 More than a goal. A statement.
⚡️ @willliamsssnico #AtletiAthletic #NoToRacism pic.twitter.com/bJVH5gfZjf
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) April 30, 2024
An area of Atlético de Madrid’s stadium will be closed during the upcoming LaLiga games against Celta de Vigo and Osasuna, amid the ‘Colchoneros’ fight to secure the ‘Top 4’ of the Spanish championship.
“I went to take the corner and heard sounds of monkeys. The truth is that there were few of them and there are stupid people everywhere,” Williams told DAZN after the game at Madrid’s Metropolitano stadium. “It’s okay, we have to keep working. I hope this changes little by little because we are fighting against it externally and internally,” added the youngest of the Williams brothers.
The Athletic striker scored his team’s goal shortly after being the target of insults and celebrated by pointing to his arm, showing the color of his skin. “Yes, (the celebration was for that) with a little anger. It’s not normal for people to still insult you because of the color of your skin.”
The incident suffered by Nico Williams adds to a series of episodes that have shaken Spanish football in recent years, especially affecting Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian became a symbol against racism after being the victim of insults in some stadiums.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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