Once again, Athletic de Bilbao’s Nico Williams finds himself a target of racism, this time during a match against Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital. Trailing 1-0, Williams prepared to take a corner kick when the incident occurred, prompting his plea to referee Juan Martinez to halt play after reporting the alleged verbal abuse.
This instance adds to a distressing trend in LaLiga, where players like former Barcelona standout Samuel Eto’o have previously boycotted matches due to similar discriminatory chants, with instances even involving the hurling of bananas onto the field.
Expressing his frustration, Williams emphasized the need for gradual change in combating racism, acknowledging both internal and external struggles against such behavior. Atletico players Antoine Griezmann and Jose Maria Gimenez echoed this sentiment, urging home fans to desist from the offensive chants, which eventually ceased.
Despite the adversity, Williams showcased resilience by netting a crucial goal, albeit in a losing effort as his team succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium. Reflecting on the goal, Williams conveyed mixed emotions, stating his discomfort at being subjected to racial insults based on his skin color.
In response, Atletico Madrid issued a statement on social media, condemning all forms of racism and hatred, a sentiment echoed by La Liga, which emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards such behavior in sports.
At just 21 years old, Nico Williams stands as one of Europe’s brightest prospects in football, with his talent potentially attracting interest from top clubs across the continent in the near future.
