US EditionFan who racially insulted Iñaki Williams in Spanish league game reaches deal to avoid prison time
The fan received a one-year suspended prison sentence, a three-year stadium ban, and a fine exceeding 1,000 euros, reflecting Spain's efforts to combat racism in football.
- On Wednesday, an unnamed Espanyol fan accepted a one-year prison sentence but will not serve jail time for racially abusing Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams five years ago.
- Television images showed Iñaki Williams confronting a section of Espanyol supporters after monkey noises and offensive gestures, prompting referees to halt the match about 20 minutes in under the anti-racism protocol, while Espanyol identified 12 involved fans.
- Television footage showed Iñaki Williams confronting Espanyol fans who taunted him, prosecutors had sought a two-year sentence, but only one fan could be identified for trial.
- The deal bars the fan from stadiums and requires payment of a fine of more than 1,000 euros , including a disqualification from sports-related professions, while Spanish law suspends short sentences.
- The ruling adds to a broader crackdown on racism in Spanish football, including last year's eight-month sentences for three Valencia fans and earlier interruptions of Athletic Bilbao's game at Espanyol due to racist chants.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Fan escapes jail time despite racial chants against Inaki Williams in La Liga
An Espanyol fan accepted a one-year prison sentence, avoiding jail, for racially abusing Athletic Bilbao's Iñaki Williams in 2020. He also faces a three-year stadium ban and a fine. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat racism in Spanish football.
Associated Press News
Fan who racially insulted Iñaki Williams in Spanish league game reaches deal to avoid prison time
An Espanyol fan accused of racially insulting Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams during a Spanish league match five years ago has has accepted a one-year prison sentence but will not serve time as part of a deal.
Espanyol fan who racially insulted Iñaki Williams receives 1-year prison sentence - Spain in English
A Barcelona court has handed a one-year prison sentence to an Espanyol supporter who racially abused Athletic Bilbao striker Iñaki Williams. The incident took place in January 2020 at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium, where the fan directed racist chants and gestures at the Ghanaian international. Under Spanish law, because the term is less than two years and the individual has no prior criminal record, the jail time will not be served. Instead, the supp…
Man jailed in Spain for racially abusing footballer
A man was sentenced to one year in prison in a court settlement on Wednesday for racially abusing Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams during a match at Espanyol's Cornella-El Prat stadium in 2020, a local court in Barcelona said. The incident, in which prosecutors said the man imitated monkey noises and gestures aimed at Williams, marked the first case of racial abuse in soccer to reach Spanish courts. Last season, Athletic Bilbao's LaLiga ga…
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