Atletico Madrid secured a 3-1 victory against Athletic Bilbao in a La Liga match overshadowed by racial abuse directed at Athletic’s Nico Williams. The 21-year-old winger accused a section of the home fans of racially abusing him and asked the referee to stop the match midway through the first half.
In response to Williams’ plea, the game was paused, and an announcement was made to the crowd. Atletico players Antoine Griezmann and Jose Maria Gimenez appeared to urge their fans to stop the chanting before play resumed. Williams expressed his frustration, saying, “I have gone to take a corner and I have heard monkey sounds. There are stupid people everywhere, but nothing happens. We have to keep working.”
Unfortunately, the racial abuse didn’t end there. Williams was booed by some fans throughout the match, and the intensity increased after he equalized just before halftime. Speaking about his goal celebration, Williams explained, “It comes with a bit of anger. It is not normal that they still insult you because of your skin tone.”
Williams’ brother and teammate, Inaki Williams, called for the jeers to be directed at the individuals responsible for the insults rather than at the victim. In a statement on social media, Atletico condemned any act of racism or hatred, asserting their stance against such behavior.
La Liga also released a statement denouncing racist or hateful behavior in sport and reaffirming their commitment to eradicating such incidents from the game.
Despite the racial abuse, Athletic Bilbao put up a fight on the pitch. Williams canceled out Rodrigo de Paul’s opener with his goal, bringing the score to 1-1 before halftime. However, Atletico Madrid ultimately secured victory with goals from Angel Correa early in the second half and an own goal from Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon.
The win puts Atletico Madrid six points clear of fifth-placed Athletic, positioning them well for Champions League qualification next season. This victory comes after Real Madrid filed a complaint last month regarding Atletico fans chanting racist slurs about Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr.
The incident involving Nico Williams serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of racism in football. While steps have been taken to combat discrimination, such incidents highlight the ongoing need for education, awareness, and strong action against racism in the sport.
Football, as a global phenomenon, has the power to unite people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It is crucial that steps are taken to ensure all individuals can participate in and enjoy the game without fear of discrimination or abuse. The responsibility falls not only on clubs and governing bodies but also on fans to create an inclusive and respectful environment within football stadiums.