2024-04-28 06:32:29
Athletic Bilbao player Nico Williams after his goal against Atlético Madrid on Saturday April 27. OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP
The match between Atlético Madrid and Athletic Bilbao was interrupted for a few moments on Saturday April 27 after the Basque club’s player Nico Williams said he had been the victim of “monkey noises” from Madrid supporters. The incident took place in the first half as Williams was preparing to take a corner.
“I went to shoot the corner and I heard monkey noises”Williams told DAZN. “There weren’t many. There are stupid people everywhere… I hope that will change little by little”, emphasized the 21-year-old. A few minutes later, just before half-time, the Spanish striker scored the equalizer. During the celebration, he slapped his arm to show the audience the color of his skin.
“It was with a little anger, it’s not normal to be insulted for the color of your skin”he explained after a match finally won by Antoine Griezmann’s Atlético Madrid (3-1).
Madrid club midfielder Koke offered Williams “support and strength” after the game. “In our society, there is no place for people who insult like this”said Koke, adding: “Atlético Madrid and all its supporters are in favor of Nico and against these situations, which should not happen in a football stadium or in society. This cannot happen in the times and society we live in. »
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Several episodes of racism in Spain
In recent months, the Spanish championship has experienced several episodes of racism in its stadiums, whether in Valencia, Seville, or already at Atlético Madrid. In October 2023, an investigation was opened after a woman and her 8-year-old niece claimed to have suffered racist insults on the sidelines of a match between Atlético and Real Madrid while the little girl was wearing the jersey of Brazilian striker Vinicius. The aunt of this black child explained on Cadena Ser radio that they had both been victims of racist insults by ultra supporters of the Frente Atlético group near the stadium.
Most of these incidents also targeted the Real Madrid striker. In March, the player notably shared a video on where Atlético supporters sang a racist chant at him near the Metropolinato stadium before a Champions League match between Atlético and Inter Milan: “Ale, ale, ale, Vinicius chimpanzee. » “It’s a sad reality that happens even during matches where I am not present”he commented.
He then collapsed during a press conference on March 25, when discussing the subject: ” I’m sorry. I just want to play football. I just want to play, I want to do everything for my club and for my family and for black people to never suffer again. » “Since the first time I complained about racism in Spain, the situation has continued to get worse… They insult me because of the color of my skin so that I play less well on the pitch”he also lamented.
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