Nico Williams racially abused by fans as his Athletic loses at Atletico in fight for CL spot

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Another incident of racism in Spanish soccer marred Atletico Madrid’s 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Spain forward Nico Williams said he was targeted by “monkey” shouts while he took a corner kick in the first half at Metropolitano Stadium. When he later scored Athletic’s goal, he appeared to respond to the insults by running past the stands and tapping his forearm in reference to his skin color.

“I heard the monkey sounds, but it is always the same two or three people. We have to keep working on this. I hope one day it will stop,” the 21-year-old Nico said.

His older brother Iñaki Willliams, who has also endured racist insults in his career, broadened his criticism beyond those who insulted his brother to include the fans who jeered and booed Nico after he responded to the incident.

“They jeered him every time he touched the ball,” Iñaki said. “I can’t understand that. They should jeer the aggressors, not the victim.”