*Barcelona, February 18, 2025*- A La Liga encounter between RCD Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao was called off on Sunday when Athletic striker Iñaki Williams accused fans of racial slurs.
That took place in the 35th minute of the match at Barcelona’s RCDE Stadium. A visibly disturbed Williams laid accusations against an area of Espanyol supporters who racially insulted him. Applying the strict anti-racism protocol from La Liga, the authority that officiated the match would stop play temporarily to inform both teams and the stadium officials before giving a tannoy warning.
Bilbao’s captain Iker Muniain and Espanyol’s Sergi Darder went to the fans and told them to keep it civil and cool. Delayed for nearly 10 minutes, play resumed, but, rattled, Williams was taken from the field.
In the post-match press conference, Williams confessed that he was irritated since earlier he had made a big thing of racism in Spanish football. “It’s disappointing to be facing this in 2025. Football should be a game of togetherness and not hatred. I appreciate my teammates and rivals who have stood up for me.”
Later, Espanyol apologized and pled to do an investigation. “RCD Espanyol thanks its cooperation with La Liga and other bodies in its aim to identify those accountable and punish them accordingly.”
Espanyol later apologized and vowed to make an investigation.
*”RCD Espanyol thanks its cooperation with the La Liga and other bodies in its aim to identify those accountable and punish them accordingly.”*
La Liga president Javier Tebas condemned the incident and called for tougher measures.
*”There is no place for racism in football. We will work with the clubs and the authorities to see to it that those responsible are punished.”*
This is hardly the first time that Spanish football has had this problem. A few years ago, La Liga games were marred by the racist tendencies of fans against the likes of Vinícius Jr. and Samuel Eto’o, and they reopened debates on the adequacy of current anti-racism measures.
FIFA and UEFA have often demanded stricter sanctions such as stadium bans for clubs or point deductions in case fan racist violence has been committed. Calls continue for some reforms with many insisting on stricter application of already existing laws.
Now Espanyol is considering sanctions from La Liga: fines and possibly partial or total closure of the stadium depending on how the investigation goes. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao has once again expressed full support for Williams and urged football authorities to act resolutely against racism.
With the probe still not completed, this Sunday game again serves as an example of the fight against racism in sport and further stresses the need to continue with the campaign against it.
