Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams suffers alleged racist abuse from Atletico Madrid fans as LaLiga game is stopped… before pointing to his skin colour after scoring minutes later
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams scored against Atletico Madrid after accusing home supporters of making monkey noises towards him.
Williams pointed to the colour of his skin during his celebration minutes after referee Juan Martinez briefly stopped the LaLiga game following the alleged racist abuse.
Atletico players Antoine Griezmann and Jose Maria Gimenez appeared to be appealing to the section of fans to stop the chanting before play resumed.
‘I have gone to take a corner and I have heard monkey sounds,’ Williams told DAZN.
‘There are stupid people everywhere, but nothing happens, we have to keep working.
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams points to his skin colour after scoring against Atletico Madrid minutes after suffering alleged racist abuse
The referee stopped the LaLiga game on Saturday night after monkey chants were heard
Williams speaks to Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul after suffering the alleged racial abuse
‘I hope this changes little by little because in the end we are fighting internally and externally against this.’
On his goal celebration, he added: ‘It comes with a bit of anger, it is not normal that they still insult you because of your skin tone.’
His brother Inaki Williams said: ‘I know that if my brother does that, something has happened. They have made monkey noises. That has nothing to do with football or life in general.
‘Then people whistled at my brother every time he had the ball, I don’t understand it. You have to whistle at those who insult, not the victim.
‘It makes me quite sad that I have to give this type of message. It is a children’s sport, we have grown up playing football.
‘The essence of this sport has many positive things and we must set an example. This has to end now, we must raise awareness and put an end to this scourge.’
Atletico, who went on to win Saturday night’s game 3-1, said on social media they condemned ‘any act of racism or hatred’.
Williams scored to bring Bilbao level in a key match in the race to make the Champions League
He celebrated by pointing to his skin colour having been on the receiving end of racist abuse
Angel Correa was on target for Atletico Madrid, who went on to win the contest 3-1
A LaLiga statement read: ‘There’s no place for racist of hateful behaviour in sport. LaLiga vehemently condemns any racist acts and will continue working to eradicate this inexcusable behaviour from our sport.’
Williams, 21, cancelled out an early Atletico opener scored by Rodrigo De Paul, but further goals by Angel Correa and an own goal by Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon earned Diego Simeone’s team the three points.
It leaves fourth-placed Atletico six points ahead of Bilbao and on course to secure Champions League football for next season.
- For more: Elrisala website and for social networking, you can follow us on Facebook
- Source of information and images “dailymail“
