Man sentenced to one year in prison for racist abuse of Athletic Club star Inaki Williams as La Liga hails ruling as 'milestone' in fight against discrimination

According to Reuters, a Barcelona court has sentenced an Espanyol supporter to one year in prison for racially abusing the striker during a La Liga clash at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium in January 2020. The fan was found guilty of making monkey gestures aimed at Williams. While the sentence is legally binding, under Spanish law prison terms under two years for first-time offenders are usually suspended, meaning the accused is unlikely to serve actual jail time unless further offences are committed. Alongside the prison term, the fan must pay a fine of around €1,000, is banned from attending football stadiums for three years, and is disqualified from working in sport or education for five years.

This ruling is being hailed as a milestone in the fight against racism in Spanish football. It is the first case of racist abuse inside a stadium has resulted in a formal prosecution in Spain. Spanish football has long struggled with repeated racist incidents, particularly involving high-profile Black players such as Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, who has faced slurs on multiple occasions. The Williams case underlines the urgent need for deeper reforms, stricter enforcement, and cultural change within the game and wider society.

A statement from La Liga said: "This ruling constitutes a new milestone in the fight against racism in football, continuing LaLiga's firm and consistent line of action in defence of the values of respect and inclusion, which was specifically reinforced following this racist incident against Inaki Williams more than five years ago."

The Prosecutor’s Office originally sought a two-year prison sentence, but a deal was reached with the accused that reduced the punishment. Williams, who was born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents who met in a refugee camp, said at the time that the racist insults left him “saddened” and were “completely out of order.” His brother Nico Williams, now a Spain international, has also been vocal in standing against racism.

This case adds to a string of convictions in Spain as in 2024, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for racially abusing Vinicius Jr.,while four Atletico Madrid ultras received suspended sentences for hanging an effigy of the Brazilian from a bridge. In February 2025, Athletic game against Espanyol had to be halted after racial abuse was directed at forward Maroan Sannadi.

While this specific case concerned Athletic Club and Espanyol, the implications affect the entire Spanish football ecosystem, including the La Liga giants Barcelona. Moreover, with La Liga continuing to battle reputation damage over racism, clubs like Barca must take a more proactive stance, working with players, fans, and governing bodies to push for harsher sanctions and stronger education initiatives, being the leading club.