Nico Williams Faces Racist Insults at the Civitas Metropolitano
In the match between Athletic Club de Bilbao and Atlético Madrid, referee Juan Martínez Munuera momentarily stopped the game at the Cívitas Metropolitano, around the 40th minute, after Nico Williams reported receiving an insult, allegedly racist, as he was about to take a corner kick, and a message against "offensive chants" was broadcast over the loudspeaker.
After calling for an end to the chants, players paused briefly until the game resumed without further interruptions until halftime.
Both clubs expressed their stance, not only on the field but also on social media. Bilbao posted: "Nico Williams speaks on the field."
Meanwhile, the Atlético side also showed their support for what happened at their stadium, stating: "Atlético is against any act of racism or hatred."
Nico Williams himself spoke out after the match, detailing how he experienced the moment, saying: "I went to take the corner and I heard monkey sounds. There are stupid people everywhere. It's okay. We have to keep working. We hope that this will change little by little. We are fighting internally and externally against it. And that's what it is."
This shameful moment, which has occurred several times in La Liga this season, unfolded in the capital during Bilbao's defeat against Atlético Madrid, highlighting the ongoing battle against racism.