A Spanish court in Barcelona has sentenced an Espanyol fan to one year in prison and fined him over 1,000 euros for racially abusing Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams during a La Liga match in January 2020. The sentence, delivered on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, includes a three-year ban from entering football stadiums.
During the game at Espanyol's Cornella-El Prat stadium, the fan was found to have made monkey noises and gestures directed at Williams, who is of Ghanaian descent. Williams reported the abuse after being substituted during the match. He told the club media that it was something that no one wants to hear and is totally out of place. He also posted on his Twitter account that it is very sad that we continue to see racism in football and we have to end it among everyone.
The prosecution initially sought a two-year prison sentence but reached an agreement with the accused. The agreement also involved La Liga, which acted as a plaintiff in the case. While the one-year prison sentence was handed down, the fan may avoid serving time due to Spanish laws that typically suspend sentences under two years for first-time, non-violent offenses.
Espanyol had previously identified 12 fans who were involved in the racist abuse of Williams and took action against them. The club banned these supporters after reviewing video images of the incident.
La Liga has welcomed the court's decision, calling it a "milestone" in the fight against racism in football. The league emphasized its commitment to eradicating all forms of violence inside and outside stadiums.
This is not an isolated incident, as racism has been an ongoing issue in Spanish football. Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior has been subjected to racial slurs on multiple occasions, leading to several fans receiving sentences for their actions. In February 2025, an Athletic Bilbao match at Espanyol was temporarily halted due to alleged racist abuse toward Williams' teammate, Maroan Sannadi. Williams confirmed that his teammate was called a "f***ing moor".
The incidents against Vinícius led to widespread condemnation and investigations, with the head of Spain's football federation acknowledging that the country has a problem with racism. Some people believe that Spain is now known "as a country of racists".
The sentencing of the Espanyol fan for racially abusing Iñaki Williams marks a significant step in addressing racism in Spanish football. It underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and sends a message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
