Athletic Bilbao striker, Inaki Williams, has called for stronger action against Espanyol fans who racially abused his teammate, Maroan Sannadi, during their match on Sunday at the RCDE Stadium.
Sannadi, the Moroccan international, was subjected to racial insults in the first half, prompting Williams to alert the referee, which triggered football’s anti-racism protocol.
The protocol begins with a stadium announcement warning fans, followed by a temporary stoppage if the abuse continues, and ultimately, players leaving the pitch if it persists.
Williams, who was near the incident, confirmed hearing the racist remarks directed at Sannadi. Speaking to Cadena SER after the game, the Ghana international stressed the need for stronger measures against racism in football and emphasized that this issue extends beyond individual clubs.
“Starting with the basic idea that people come to enjoy football, I believe this cannot happen. Maroan made an individual play and was insulted with ‘f***ing moor.’ This is not the first time it’s happened here; it has happened to me too, but it shouldn’t taint the whole of Espanyol’s fanbase.”
“Football must be supported; Espanyol needs its fans, not the four idiots who tarnish true football. It’s a shame. The referee acted very well, although I didn’t understand why the Espanyol fans then whistled at me. Let’s hope it is corrected, given visibility, and that those responsible are punished.”
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, and Williams further detailed how the situation unfolded during his post-match interview.
“It was a quick play, the ball went out for a corner, we both heard ‘f***ing moor.’ We stood there looking at each other, and I told the linesman to make them aware. The linesman informed the referee, who then told me he was going to activate the protocol.”
Racist abuse has become a growing concern in Spanish football, with high-profile incidents involving players like Vinicius Junior. While stricter punishments, including prison sentences, have recently been introduced, there is still ongoing debate over whether the current measures are enough to deter offenders.