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
- Play stopped after Williams informed the referee about alleged monkey noises
- The 21-year-old later scored and sent a message to the abusers during his celebration
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Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams scored against Atletico Madrid after accusing the home fans of making monkey noises at him.
Williams pointed out the color of his skin during his celebratory minutes after referee Juan Martinez briefly halted the LaLiga match following the alleged racist abuse.
Atletico players Antoine Griezmann and Jose Maria Gimenez appeared to appeal to fans to stop the chanting before play resumed.
“I went around a bend and heard monkey noises,” Williams told DAZN.
‘There are stupid people everywhere, but nothing happens, we have to keep working.
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams points out his skin color after scoring minutes against Atletico Madrid after alleged racist abuse
The referee stopped the LaLiga match on Saturday evening after monkey chants were heard
Williams speaks to Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul after the alleged racist abuse
“I hope this changes little by little because ultimately we are fighting this internally and externally.”
Speaking about his goal celebration, he added: “It comes with a bit of anger, it’s not normal that they still insult you because of the color of your skin.”
His brother Inaki Williams said: “I know if my brother does that, something has happened. They 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 should whistle at those who offend, not at the victim.
‘It makes me quite sad that I have to give this kind of message. It is a children’s sport, we grew up with football.
‘The essence of this sport has many positive things and we must set an example. This must end now, we must raise awareness and put an end to this scourge.”
Atletico, who won Saturday night’s match 3-1, said on social media they condemned “any act of racism or hatred.”
Williams scored to draw Bilbao level in an important match in the race to reach the Champions League
He celebrated this by pointing out his skin color because he was the victim of racist abuse
Angel Correa was on target for Atletico Madrid, who eventually won the match 3-1
A LaLiga statement read: ‘There is no place for racist or hateful behavior in sport. LaLiga strongly condemns all acts of racism and will continue to work to eradicate this inexcusable behavior from our sport.”
Williams, 21, canceled out an early Atletico opener scored by Rodrigo De Paul, but further goals from Angel Correa and an own goal from Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon gave 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.