A Spanish court has sentenced a man to one year in prison for racially abusing Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams during a 2020 match at Espanyol’s Cornella-El Prat stadium. The authorities in Barcelona confirmed the ruling.
Prosecutors said the man imitated monkey noises and gestures aimed at Williams. This case marks the first racial abuse incident in football to reach Spanish courts. The ruling highlights ongoing concerns about racism in Spanish stadiums.
Last season, a LaLiga match between Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol was temporarily halted after Williams reported racist abuse directed at teammate Maroan Sannadi. Racism gained more attention in 2023 when Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr was targeted with racial slurs during a match at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium. Several fans were later sentenced for abusing Vinicius.
In Williams’ case, prosecutors initially sought a two-year prison term. The defendant, whose name was not disclosed, agreed to pay a fine. He also accepted a three-year ban from stadiums and a five-year disqualification from working in education or sports-related jobs. Under Spanish law, first-time offenders typically do not serve jail time for sentences under two years unless they commit another offense.
Williams said he felt saddened by the insults, calling them “completely out of order.” He added that football should be played in a friendly and inclusive environment.
This ruling is a step forward in combating racism in football. It sends a clear message that discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated.
