The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has hit Atletico Madrid with a partial closure of their south stand for two matches following the racist abuse on Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams in Saturday’s LaLiga game.
Due to LaLiga’s protocol against racism, in the 36th minute, the contest was brought to a halt by referee Juan Martinez Munuera after he heard racist abuse directed at the 21-year-old, who was birthed to in Pamplona to Ghanaian parents.
Atletico, who have been granted 10 days to appeal, have also been fined 20,000 Euros.
In a statement on Tuesday, the RFEF said that the closed area in the stands must display a bold message condemning violent, racist, xenophobic and intolerant acts in football while also supporting fair play.
In a game which Atleti were victorious 3-1, few minutes after he was abused, Williams scored and ran in front of the south stand tapping his arm in reference to his skin colour.
Speaking to DAZN after the game, Williams said: “There are stupid people everywhere but nothing happens, we have to keep fighting so this changes little by little.”
This scenario was the newest in a series of situations that have increased the debate of racism in Spanish football. There have been 16 incidents of racist abuse against Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. reported to Spanish prosecutors by LaLiga in the last two seasons.
Earlier in April, Spanish TV station Movistar Plus+ sacked analyst, German Burgos after both Barcelona and Paris St. Germain refused to give interviews to the network following a comment which was interpreted as racist concerning Lamine Yamal.
