Athletic Bilbao striker Iñaki Williams has strongly condemned Espanyol fans for racially abusing his teammate, Maroan Sannadi, during their match on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
The Moroccan international was subjected to racist slurs from sections of the crowd at the RCDE Stadium. The incident occurred in the first half, prompting Williams to immediately alert the referee.
As a result, the anti-racism protocol was activated, which included a warning announcement over the stadium’s speakers. Had the abuse continued, the game could have been temporarily suspended, with players leaving the field.
Williams, who was nearby, confirmed that he personally heard the insults directed at Sannadi.
Speaking to Cadena SER after the game, Williams passionately called for unity in the fight against racism, emphasizing that this is a widespread issue affecting the entire sport, not just one club.
“Football is meant to be enjoyed, and things like this should never happen. Maroan made a simple play, and they insulted him, calling him a ‘f**** Moor.’ This isn’t the first time it has happened here, it happened to me before. But that shouldn’t define Espanyol’s fan base,” he said.
However, he urged authorities to take swift action against the perpetrators.
“Football needs to be protected. Espanyol needs its true fans, not a handful of people ruining the game. It’s a shame. The referee handled it well, but I don’t understand why Espanyol fans whistled at me afterward. I hope action is taken, awareness is raised, and those responsible are punished,” he added.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Espanyol just one point above the relegation zone while also hindering Bilbao’s chase for Atletico Madrid, who had dropped points a day earlier.
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