Nico Williams gestured towards Atletico Madrid fans after equalising for Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams scored in the 3-1 La Liga defeat at Atletico Madrid after accusing a section of home fans of racially abusing him.
The Spain winger asked referee Juan Martinez to stop the match midway through the first half at Estadio Civitas Metropolitano.
The game was paused to make an announcement to the crowd, and Atletico players Antoine Griezmann and Jose Maria Gimenez appeared to urge their fans to stop the chanting before play resumed.
“I have gone to take a corner and I have heard monkey sounds,” 21-year-old Williams told DAZN.external-link
“There are stupid people everywhere, but nothing happens. We have to keep working.
“I hope this changes little by little because in the end we are fighting internally and externally against this.”
Williams was booed by some fans throughout, which intensified when the match was stopped and after he equalised just before half-time.
Talking about his goal celebration, he said: “It comes with a bit of anger.
“It is not normal that they still insult you because of your skin tone.”
Williams’ brother and team-mate Inaki Williams said: “The jeers should be directed at the people who said the insults and not at the victim.”
Writing on social media, Atletico said the club were “against any act of racism or hatred”.
A La Liga statement read: “There’s no place for racist or hateful behaviour in sport.
“La Liga vehemently condemns any racist acts and will continue working to eradicate this inexcusable behaviour from our sport.”
Williams cancelled out Rodrigo de Paul’s opener, but Angel Correa’s effort early in the second half and an own goal from Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon earned Atletico victory.
They are six points clear of fifth-placed Athletic with five games remaining this season, leaving them well positioned to secure Champions League football next season.
Last month Real Madrid filed a complaint with the Spanish legal authorities after a video on social media appeared to show Atletico fans chanting a racist slur about Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr.
Line-ups
Atl Madrid
Formation 3-5-2
13Oblak
20Witsel2Giménez22Hermoso
16Molina5De Paul6Koke14Llorente12Dias Lino
10Correa7Griezmann
13Oblak20Witsel2Giménez22HermosoBooked at 90mins16MolinaSubstituted forRiquelmeat 67’minutes5De PaulBooked at 5minsSubstituted forAzpilicuetaat 82’minutes6Koke14LlorenteSubstituted forSaúlat 82’minutes12Dias Lino10CorreaSubstituted forBarriosat 77’minutes7GriezmannBooked at 90minsSubstitutes1Moldovan3Azpilicueta8Saúl17Riquelme18Vermeeren19Morata23Isnard Mandava24Barrios31Gomis
अथ बिल्बो
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Simon
3Vivian5Álvarez4Paredes15Lekue
16Ruíz de Galarreta24Meadows
9Williams8Sancet11Nico Williams
12Guruzeta
1Simón3Vivian5ÁlvarezSubstituted forHerreraat 66’minutes4ParedesBooked at 71mins15Lekue16Ruíz de GalarretaSubstituted forVesgaat 69’minutes24Prados9WilliamsSubstituted forGarcíaat 81’minutes8SancetBooked at 59minsSubstituted forBerenguerat 66’minutes11Nico Williams12GuruzetaSubstituted forMunianat 66’minutesSubstitutes6Vesga7Berenguer10Muniain13Agirrezabala14García Carrillo19García de Albéniz20Villalibre21Herrera22García23Ares Djaló30Gómez32Rincón
Referee: John Martinez Munuera
Attendance:64,612
Live Text
Match ends, Atletico Madrid 3, Athletic Club 1.
Second Half ends, Atletico Madrid 3, Athletic Club 1.
Beñat Prados (Athletic Club) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Rodrigo Riquelme (Atletico Madrid).
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Iker Muniain (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid).
Mario Hermoso (Atletico Madrid) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Iker Muniain (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Mario Hermoso (Atletico Madrid).
Corner, Atletico Madrid. Granted by Beñat Prados.
Foul by Íñigo Lekue (Athletic Club).
César Azpilicueta (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Corner, Atletico Madrid. Granted by Beñat Prados.
Attempt blocked. Samuel Lino (Atletico Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann.
Attempt missed. Ander Herrera (Athletic Club) header from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Alex Berenguer with a cross.
Alex Berenguer (Athletic Club) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Cesar Azpilicueta (Atletico Madrid).
Foul by Raúl García (Athletic Club).
Pablo Barrios (Atletico Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.